










































The Quarterly Publication of 
the Historical and Philosoph¬ 
ical Society of Ohio 


CINCINNATI OHIO 



Vol. Ill, 1908, No. I 
JANUARY-MARCH 

















Historical and Philosophical 
Society of Ohio 

Burnet Woods, - Cincinnati , Ohio 


OFFICERS 


JOSEPH WILBY, .... 
FRANK J. JONES, .... 
HOWARD C. HOLLISTER, 
CHARLES T. GREVE, - 
JOHN FLACK WINSLOW, 
ALBERT H. CHATFIELD, - 
MISS L. BELLE HAMLIN, 
NATHANIEL HENCHMAN DAVIS, 
DAVIS L. JAMES, 

MERRICK WHITCOMB, 

CHARLES J. LIVINGOOD, - 
ELLIOTT H. PENDLETON, - 


- President. 

Vice-President. 

- Vice-President. 
Corresponding Secretary. 

- Recording Secretary. 
Treasurer. 

- Librarian. 

- Curators. 




Quarterly Publication of the His¬ 
torical and Philosophical 
Society of Ohio 

Vol. Ill, 1908, No. 1 
JANUARY—MARCH 


Notices Concerning Cincinnati 


BY 

DANIEL DRAKE 

II 

PART I. 


A Page-for-page Reprint of the First Twenty-eight Pages 
of the Original Issue of 1810. 


PRESS OF JENNINGS AND GRAHAM 

CINCINNATI, OHIO 


Entered as second-class matter June 12, 1906, at the post-office at Cincinnati, 
Ohio, under the Act of Congress of July 16, 1894. 



Committee in Charge of Publication 


CHARLES T. GREVE. 
MERRICK WHITCOMB. 



FOREWORD 


Dr. Daniel Drake’s NOTICES CONCERNING CINCINNATI 
was printed for private distribution among the author’s friends, con¬ 
sequently it is regarded as “without a doubt the rarest book relating 
to Cincinnati.” This fact alone would justify this reprint, but the 
book possesses an additional value as a bit of tangible evidence of 
creditable scientific attainment in the Ohio Valley a century ago. 

The author of this sketch is too well known in the early history 
of this section to need an extended notice here. The work itself ap¬ 
peared in two installments, both published during 1810. The first com¬ 
prising the three divisions herein reprinted, and also the APPENDIX, 
appeared about May of that year. The second installment appeared 
about August, and comprises divisions IV and V, which with the 
APPENDIX will be printed in the next issue of the QUARTERLY. 
Notices of the book may be found in Thompson: A Bibliography of 
Ohio, p. 100, and in the SOCIETY’S publication: A Partial List of 
the Books in its Library relating to the State of Ohio, p. 30. 

The Historical and Philosophical Society is fortunate in possess¬ 
ing two complete copies of the work and an additional copy of the 
first installment and the APPENDIX. One of the complete copies 
has the following note by Mr. Julius Dexter, written on its fly leaf: 
“The ‘Notices’ appeared in two parts. Part I contained pages 1-28 
and the four pages of the Appendix. Part II contained pages 29-60 
and was not printed until several months after Part I had appeared 
(see note in Daniel Drake’s handwriting at end of volume). This 
copy is made up from Part I, given by E. J. Carson, and Part II, 
given by A. H. McGuffey. Part II had been Drake’s own copy. 
—J. D.” The note in Dr. Drake’s handwriting, mentioned above, 

(iii) 



is as^follows: “The Printing of the Sect, of Memoranda respecting 
our diseases is postponed for a few months/’ This is followed by 
an illegible scrawl in another handwriting. The second complete 
copy belongs to the THOMPSON COLLECTION of the Society’s 
library. Both of these copies are bound. The incomplete copy is 
an unbound pamphlet, with the signature “Gen’l J. S. Gano, Cov¬ 
ington, Ky., on the outside cover, and “From Mrs. Laura V. Gano, 
Sept. 1, 1900,” on the inside cover. At the end it has a similar note 
in Dr. Drake’s handwriting. 

We have attempted an exact reprint of the 1810 edition, with 
the exception of two typographical differences. The old-fashioned 
“s” has been changed and the diphthong “ae” separated, and the com¬ 
pass headings of the columns in the first table on page 20 have 
been arranged vertically, rather than horizontally. Otherwise 
the reprint is exact, including errors. It speaks well for the printing 
of that day and section that there are so few of these, 
has given valuable assistance in reading the proof. 


Miss Hamlin 

I. J. c. 


(iv) 


NOTICES 

CONCERNING 

CINCINNATI. 


BY DANIEL DRAKE. 


CINCINNATI: 

PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR, 

AT THE PRESS OF JOHN W. BROWNE & CO. 











PREFATORY REMARKS. 


Such a Calendarium Flora as would exhibit the progress 
of vegetation at this place, and answer for insertion in the 
Medical and Physical Journal, or some other Magazine, and 
nothing more, was at first intended. But the physical sci¬ 
ences are so intimately connected, that the narrow limits 
then prescribed, have been overstepped, and the addition of 
notices respecting our soil, climate and diseases, now renders 
the floral calendar the most inconsiderable part. 

Even, however, in its extended form, no great degree of im¬ 
portance is attached to this humble prodromus; and the origin¬ 
al design, of sending it to the editor of that Journal, would still 
be adhered to, did not the writer wish to distribute several 
copies of it among medical and other friends, as an acknow¬ 
ledgment for similar information communicated to him. To 
them he addresses it without hesitation, and only requests 
that they make a careful distinction, between what is given 
as fact, and what as hypothesis, or deduction: The latter 
may be correct, the former can scarcely be incorrect. 

It only remains to observe, that the manner in which it 
is executed may probably be considered too elaborate and 
methodical for such an immature production ; but in addi- 



4 


tion to the existance of insuperable obstacles to the attain¬ 
ment of an easy and elegant style, the writer labored to be 
concise, and conciseness requires method. 


Cincinnati, Ohio, May 1, 1810. 



NOTICES 

CONCERNING CINCINNATI. 


I. Topography. 


CINCINNATI, situate on the northern bank of the river 
Ohio, in a bend of gentle curvature, is in 39 deg. 7 min. 
N. Lat. and about 84 deg. 30 min. W. Longitude. 

Its site is not equally elevated. A slip of land, called the 
BOTTOM(most of which is inundated by extraordinary freshes, 
though the whole is elevated several feet above the ordinary 
high water mark) commences at Deer-creek, the eastern 
boundry of the town, and stretches down the river, gradually 
becoming wider and lower. It slopes northwardly to the 
average distance of 800 feet, where it is terminated by a bank 
or glacis, denominated the HILL, which is generally of steep 
ascent, and from 30 to 50 feet in height. In addition to 
this, there is a gentle aclivity for 6 or 700 feet farther back, 
which is succeeded by a slight inclination of surface, north¬ 
wardly, for something more than half a mile, when the 
hills, or real uplands commence. These benches of land 
extend northwestwardly, (the upper one continually wi¬ 
dening) nearly two miles, and are lost in the interval grounds 
of Mill-creek. The whole, form an area of between 2 and 
3 square miles; which however comprehends but little more 
than a moiety of the expansion which the valley of the Ohio 
has at this place. For on the southern side, both above and 
below the mouth of Licking river, are extensive elevated 
bottoms. 

The hills surrounding this alluvial tract, form an imper¬ 
fectly rhomboidal figure. They are between 2 and 300 feet 
high, but the angle, under which they are seen from a cen¬ 
tral situation, is only of a few degrees. Those to the S. W. 
and N. E. at such a station, make the greatest, and nearly 
an equal angle; those to the S. E. and N. W. also make 
angles nearly equal. The Ohio enters at the eastern angle 




6 


of this figure, and after bending considerably to the south, 
passes out at the western; Licking enters through the 
southern, and Mill-creek through the northern angle.— 
Deer-creek, an inconsiderable stream, enters through the 
northern side. The Ohio, both up and down, affords a li¬ 
mited view, and its valley forms no considerable inlet to 
the E. and W. winds. The valley of Licking affords an 
entrance to the S. wind, that of Mill-creek to the N. W. 
and that of Deer-creek, (a partial one) to the N. E. The 
other winds blow over the hills that lie in their respective 
courses. 

The Ohio is 535 yards wide from bank to bank, but at 
low water much narrower: no extensive bars exist, how¬ 
ever, near the town. Licking river, which joins the Ohio 
at right angles, opposite the town, is about 80 yards wide at 
its mouth. Mill-creek is large enough for mills, and has 
wide alluvions; which, near its junction with the Ohio, are 
annually overflown. Its general course is from N. E. to 
S. W. and it joins the Ohio at a right angle. 

Ascending from these valleys, the aspects and character 
of the surrounding country are various. On the southern, 
or Kentucky side of the Ohio, the land is hilly, and the inter¬ 
val grounds narrow; on this side the land is more level, and 
the interval spaces wider. These spaces are covered with 
large sycamores (platanus occidentalis) hackberries (celtis 
occidentalis) poplars (liriodendron tulipifera) the beech 
(fagus Americanus) the buckeyes (esculus) hickories and 
walnuts (juglans) honeylocusts (gleditsia triacunthos) 2 or 
3 oaks (quercus) paupow (annona glabra) grape-vines 
(vitis ferotina) 2 species of ash (fraxinus) sugar trees (acer 
saccharinum) black locust (robinia pseudacacia) and most 
of the other 40 or 50 trees and shrubs, which compose the 
Arbustum Terrae Fertilis of the western country. While 
the shores of the creeks and rivers are embellished by willows 
(salix) cotton trees, (populus deltoid) and red maple, (acer 
rubrum.) 

The uplands produce either the trees already mentioned, 
or the numerous species and varieties of oak, or beech, 
or the whole blended together, according to their differences 
in fertility and moisture. 

No barrens, prairies, or pine lands are to be found near 
the town. 


7 


II. Geology. 


The internal structure, of the site of our town, demon¬ 
strates, that it is wholly “made ground,” and that water 
has been the immediate agent. On the upper division, or 
Hill, the soil near the eastern and western extremities is bet¬ 
ter, but in the middle it is extremely thin, exhibiting every 
where the loam over which it is spread. This loam, which 
constitutes the second stratum, is from 4 to 8 feet in depth. 
It presents but few varieties, affording besides the sand and 
brick clay which compose it, nothing more than occasional 
siliceous pebbles, and fragments of argillaceous grit. This 
layer is supported by a grand stratum, composed of pebbles, 
gravel and sand. It is of unknown thickness, wells having 
been dug to the depth of 80, 90 and 100 feet, without passing 
through it. The particulars which have been observed res¬ 
pecting its construction are the following:—1. The sand; 
gravel and pebbles are commonly blended together; but, in 
some places the sand exists in beds distinctly from the others. 
These beds are found at considerable depth, and generally 
exhibit in the position of their particles, a kind of oblique or 
wave-like stratification; while that of the superincumbent 
gravel is more horizontal.—2. A large portion of the peb¬ 
bles of this stratum are opake calcareous carbonate; the rest 
are semi-transparent, white, blue, brown, and red amorphous 
quartz; flint; and several varieties of granite, some of which 
are undergoing decomposition. The calcareous fragments are 
discoid, the siliceous approach more or less to the globular 
figure. They are all water-worn, and resemble those found 
on the beaches of our rivers.—3. In some places these pebbles 
are cemented by carbonate of lime into breccia. It is 
somewhat tabular, and horizontally disposed.—4. No fluvial 
shells, nor exuviae of any kind have been found in this stra¬ 
tum, except a solitary vertebra of the mammoth, which late¬ 
ly was discovered about 20 feet below the surface. It had 
no doubt been deposited there at the same time with the gra¬ 
vel among which it was found.—5. Veins of loam highly 
colored, and of fine blue clay, have been occasionally found, 
more especially along its southern border.—6. In the 
well of capt. Prince at the depth of 36 feet, that of judge 




8 


Symmes at 20 feet, and of Jacob Burnet, Esq., at 90 feet, 
fragments of vegetable matter have been found. In that 
of the latter gentleman were dug up the stumps or founda¬ 
tions of two trees, one of considerable size, the other smaller. 
They were represented by the workmen as having grown 
there, but from the very depressed situation they occupied, 
and from their resting on sand, it is more probable they 
were deposited there, indicating that to have been once the 
bottom of a lake or pond, rather than the surface of the dry 
ground. And this opinion coincides with Mr. Volney's 
supposition of an ancient lake in this country.—8. The wells 
of maj. Ruffin, judge Symmes and gen. Lytle, all in a line 
from the river, have formerly afforded water, considerably 
impregnated with iron, and probably also with sulphur; 
both of which might have been supplied by the decomposi¬ 
tion of fossil wood.—And where this line intersects the river, 
the sand and gravel of the beach are cemented into a kind 
of ferruginous breccia, by oxide of iron. 

Such, as far as it has been explored, is the structure of 
the higher alluvion: that of the lower, or Bottom, differs 
from it in some respects. The layer of mould is several 
feet thick, and gradually changes into clay, which terminates 
about 20 feet from the surface. After this, sand and gravel 
present themselves, and continue to the calcareous and schis¬ 
tous strata, which underlay the town and adjoining uplands. 

Of the geology of the surrounding country but a partial 
account will be attempted. Its alluvial portions like those 
already described, consist of mould, loam, clay, sand and 
gravel, to the depth of several feet. The superior strata 
of the uplands are mould, from 6 to 24 inches deep, and 
loam, with loose horizontal limestones and fragments of ar¬ 
gillaceous sandstone, to the depth of from 6 to 12 feet. 
These strata, on this side of the river, are supported by ar¬ 
gillaceous schistus (the argilla fissilis of Turton’s Linnaeus) 
alternately and horizontally disposed with calcareous rocks; 
which construction continues as low as we have yet penetra¬ 
ted. The former substance, in quantity, greatly exceeds 
the latter, and really gives to this part of our state a schistous 
character. It has a dull blue color, breaks into thick irregu¬ 
lar discoid fragments, softens and is diffusible in water, from 
which it is probably, in certain situations, deposited, forming 
beds of potter’s clay (argilla lithomarga;) it adheres to the 
tongue, can be scratched with the nail, effervesces with acids, 




9 


feebly before, but briskly after pulverization, and has 2.55 
specific gravity. It contains neither sulphur nor bitumen. 
The limestone in this region is from 1 to 18 inches thick; 
is found in oblong or irregular indeterminate angular pieces, 
of various sizes; has a coarse grain, and is of different den¬ 
sities, with the medium specific gravity of 2.65. The lime 
obtained from it is said to possess great strength, but adheres 
slightly, and is not very white, no doubt from the abundance 
of iron it contains. 

An observer, upon examining this calcareo-schistous re¬ 
gion is ready to pronounce, that the limestone is nothing 
but indurated slate; for the change of density and texture, 
from one to the other, is, in many places, so gradual as to be 
perfectly imperceptible. This, however, can only be deter¬ 
mined by chemical analysis. 

Several varieties of marine exuviae, which I am not now 
prepared to enumerate, are found imbedded in, or impressed 
on the surface, of these calcareous stones. The slate also, is 
not without appearances of this kind, though they are not 
so numerous nor so large. 

Along the beach of the Ohio, smooth lumps of sandstone, 
of different degrees of hardness, and of various colors and 
sizes, are by no means uncommon. In the lower bank of 
Licking River, just at its junction with the Ohio, but more 
especially in some of the river hills, about 15 miles above this 
town, are huge shapeless masses of breccia or pudding stone. 
It consists of rolled, calcareous and siliceous pebbles, cement¬ 
ed by carbonate of lime. It is found in hills which appear 
to have had a secondary formation, and constitutes their 
nuclei. As we advance into Kentucky, the proportion of 
argillaceous matter decreases rapidly, until at length dense, 
thick, almost interminable, calcareous rocks, separated but 
slightly, form the solid foundation of that state. It has 
been asserted, that the prevalence of schistous matter 
ceases at the Ohio river; this may be the case in some 
places, but it certainly is not everywhere. 

Granitical pebbles have been already mentioned, as fre¬ 
quently occurring in the alluvion on which our town is 
built; but they are not all the granite this country affords. 
About fifteen miles north of this place, is a zone or region of 
larger masses of that compound. It runs from east to west. 
These masses, some of which are several feet in diameter, 
are of a reddish color, amorphous, smooth and perpendicu- 


IO 


larly stratified. It is believed, that similar fragments are be¬ 
strewn over most of our state. 

The country, between this and lake Erie, is probably 
erected on a frail calcareo-argillaceous foundation: but little, 
however, is accurately known concerning any portion of its 
natural history. 

From even this cursory topographical and geological view, 
we perceive the reason why this state abounds, considerably, 
in interval lands, and durable springs; while in Kentucky, the 
springs, though numerous during the rainy season, are tran¬ 
sient, and the interval spaces narrow. In that state, the 
hills are generally steep enough to convey most of the rains 
rapidly away; and what water does filter through the soil 
and clay is arrested by the broad impermeable rocks, and 
conducted to the banks of the numerous creeks, where it bursts 
out in temporary springs. The surface of this state, in most 
parts, is so level as to retain a large portion of the water 
which falls, while the frailer structure of the ground readily 
permits it to sink below the region of evaporation, where it 
collects and forms permanent springs. In Kentucky, the 
rivers and small streams can effect but little, in a lateral di¬ 
rection, against the dense calcareous rocks, which every where 
abound beneath the surface, and therefore are restricted 
to narrow limits. In this state, the rivers and creeks are 
constantly undermining and wearing away their resistless and 
crumbling banks, and thereby widen their valleys. 

About one mile up Licking river, are several copious cha¬ 
lybeate springs, which however are covered with water, ex¬ 
cept when the river is low. To the east of the town, from 
under the hill beyond Deer-creek, there bursts out a feeble 
vein of water, considerably impregnated with sulphate and 
muriate of soda. But few springs exist about the town. 
Wells are more common, tho’ not very numerous: most of 
them terminate in sand and gravel. The water they afford 
is hard, incrusting the vessels in which it is boiled. It con¬ 
tains uncombined carbonic acid,carbonates, muriates, probably 
nitrates, but no sulphates. 

That of the river is softer: In November last, when it was 
partially examined with chemical tests, it appeared to contain 
muriate of soda and uncombined soda. At other seasons of 
the year it no doubt contains other principles. 



III. Climate. 


If a history of the climate of North America, in these mid¬ 
dle latitudes, were to be attempted, it might be found both 
useful and natural, to distribute it into four great divisions:— 
1. The states lying east of the Alleghenies—2. The coun¬ 
tries lying west of the Chippewan, or Stoney mountains— 
3. The mountains themselves—4. The broad shallow val¬ 
ley, or vast platform comprehended between them; which 
is drained by the Ohio, Mississippi, and Missouri, with their 
thousand tributary streams. 

Each of these great regions, probably, has a climate some¬ 
what peculiar. That of the first is pretty well known; 
that of the second has been ascertained to differ from the 
others; that of the third, from its elevation, no doubt pos¬ 
sesses many peculiarities, but our knowledge of them is very 
limited; that of the fourth is better known, but the aggre¬ 
gate of the truths, published respecting it, is by no means 
equal to a full display of its character. This we may re¬ 
gret, but it cannot surprise us, for accurate, long continued 
cotemporary observations, at different places, must be made, 
before the climate of any country can be correctly estimated. 

The most important results, of those recently made at 
this point in the great inter-montane region, will now be 
stated. For the purpose of comparison, they are placed in 
connection with certain Atlantic observations, the most 
proper that could be procured. They are not, however, 
so perfectly comparable as could be wished, but may answer 
the end of general, though not of critical, information. 



1. TEMPERATURE. 

The mean annual heat of this town, during 4 years, was 
as follows:— 

In 1806, deg. 54.1—1807, 54.4—1808, 56.4*—1809, 54.4. 

The average of these, 54.8 deg. may be received, with¬ 
out much hesitation, as the standard temperature of this 
place: for our deep wells, and copious perennial springs, 
are constantly about 54 degrees. The mean annual heat of 
Philadelphia, 50 min. north of this town, from 6 years ob¬ 
servation by Dr. Coxe,t was 54.16 deg. that of Springmill, 
on the Schuylkill, 57 min. north of this, from 2 years obser¬ 
vations by Mr. Legeaux,t was 55 7 deg. The mean summer 
heat, for 4 years at this place, was 75 deg. for 6 years 
at Philadelphia, 75 5 deg. and for three years at Springmill, 
73.8 deg. In 1800, the summer heat in Philadelphia, was 
75 deg. at Gnadenhutten,§ in this state, about 25 min. far¬ 
ther north, it was 72 deg. The afternoon summer heat of 
this place, in 1805, was 79.7 deg. and in 1808, (a very hot 
year) 83.4 deg. that of Springmill in the former year, was 
89.3. During that summer, at Springmill, the thermometer 
was 61 times at or above 90 deg. while at this place, during 
the summer of 1808, it was at or above 90 deg. only 32 
times; and for 5 years past, it has been at that point, only 71 
times. In the course of the same period, it has been below 
cypher 10 times at this place; while from 1798 to 1803, at 
Philadelphia, it was never as low as cypher.H And during 
the most intense degree of cold experienced in that city, for 
20 years previous to 1805, the thermometer was only 5 deg. 
below cypher; ** 6 deg. higher (as will appear presently) 

* These three are the results of observations by Jared Mansfield, Esq. 
Surveyor-general of the United States, which he has kindly permitted 
me to use. The last year’s observations were by myself. Our ther¬ 
mometers (which correspond) were always hung in the shade and in 
contact with wood. His station was 4 miles north of this place, but in 
circumstances of local situation and elevation (about 50 feet above the 
high water mark of the Ohio) nearly the same with mine. Most of the 
morning observations made by him, however, were at too late a period 
to indicate the lowest temperature of the 24 hours; but mine were 
made at or before sunrise, which furnished proper data for correcting 
his. And if the difference between morning and afternoon heat be the 
same in different years, the results expressed above may certainly be 
depended on. 

f See Medical Museum. 

t Rush’s Inq. & Obs. and Barton’s Med. Phy. Journal. 

$ Barton’s Journal. 

|| Med. Museum. 

**Rush’s Inq. & Obs. 




i3 


than was felt here in 1807, and 2 deg. higher than our last 
winter afforded, for two successive mornings. 

The comparative mean heat of each month and season in 
1809, at this place, and 1802 at Philadelphia, (two years 
which had the same mean temperature) may be seen from the 
following table: 


Cincinnati. Philadelphia. Cincinnati. Philadelphia 


January, deg. 25.1 

deg. 40.8 

July deg. 

73.4 

deg. 74.7 

February 

34.2 

34.5 

August 


73.3 

74 5 

March 

44 0 

42.3 

September 

67.8 

67.2 

April 

57.9 

52.9 

October 


63.3 

59.9 

May 

61.4 

59.1 

November 

44.3 

45.6 

une 

72.7 

71.1 

December 

35.9 

33.3 


Cincin. 

Philad. 



Cincin. 

Philad. 

Winter 

81.73 

36.66 

Summer 

73.13 

73.66 

Spring 

54.42 

51.33 

Autumn 

51.43 

54.23 

The monthly 

thermometrical ranges 

at Cincinnati, in 

1809, Philadelphia in 1802 

, and Springmill in 

1805, are 

exhibited 

in the following table: 






Cincinnati 

Q 

Philadelphia 


Springmill. 

o 

January from deg. 

2 to 47 

from 24 to 57 

from 

2.9 to 63.5 

February 


13 60 

10 

50 


3.9 65.7 

March 


16 78 

24 

66 


20.1 84.9 

April 


27 88 

38 

70 


37.6 92.7 

May 


38 86 

48 

71 


35.4 88.7 

June 


48 94 

58 

86 


44 4 95.0 

July 


56 93 

63 

88 


55.6 100 2 

August 


54 89 

60 

88 


56.7 100.6 

September 


43 87 

48 

84 


42.6 98.4 

October 


33 85 

42 

76 


29.7 88.2 

November 


5 72 

32 

57 


27.5 74.7 

December 


11 62 

12 

64 


22.3 66.4 


The comparative mean difference, between the morning 
and afternoon temperatures, for the months, seasons and 
year, at Cincinnati and Springmill, may be seen from the 
following table:— 


Cincin. 1809. 

Springm. 1805. Cincin. 1809. 

Springm. 18 

January deg. 10.8 

deg. 16.4 

July deg. 

15.3 

deg. 23.0 

February 

11.6 

20.5 

August 

15.0 

21.7 

March 

18.0 

23.8 

September 

21.5 

21.1 

April 

20.6 

23.0 

October 

18.6 

19.6 

May 

24.6 

25.4 

November 

16.0 

16.2 

June 

16.0 

22.7 

December 

11.0 

11.1 

Winter 

11.1 

16.0 

Summer 

15.4 

22.5 

Spring 

20.8 

24.0 

Autumn 

18.7 

19.0 



Annual mean difference, 

16.5 

20.4 




The greatest diurnal variations from cold to heat, and from 
heat to cold, in each month in 1809, at Cincinnati, and of 
1805 at Springmill, will appear from the following table: 
Cincinnati. Springmill. 

From cold to heat. Heat to cold. Cold to heat. Heat to cold. 


January deg. 30 

deg. 32 

deg. 40 

deg. 22 

February 

31 

22 

45 

29 

March 

37 

36 

45 

36 

April 

42 

32 

40 

47 

May 

36 

40 

37 

37 

June 

30 

25 

38 

38 

July 

26 

25 

35 

34 

August 

21 

26 

34 

30 

September 

29 

30 

32 

38 

October 

33 

25 

39 

30 

November 

38 

26 

36 

36 

December 

32 

28 

33 

30 

Average, 

32 

28 

38 

34 


Hence it appears, that at both places, the sudden changes 
from cold to heat are greater than those from heat to cold, 
which is contrary to popular opinion. 

It must be observed that comparisons between the years 
1805 and 1809, are not unexceptionable, for the former 
was much more remarkable for bold and sudden changes 
than the latter. 

The annual thermometrical extremes and ranges, at Cin¬ 
cinnati, during 1806, 7, 8, and 9; at Philadelphia, during 
1800, 1, 2, and 3, and at Springmill during 1787 and 1805, 
were as follow: 

Cincinnati. Philadelphia. Springmill. 


Lo-jocst. highest, range. Ltrzv. High, range. Lowest, highest, range. 
9 94 85 10 90 80 5 96.1 91.1 

11 below0 95 106 7 90 83 2.9below 0,100.6 103.5 

4 below 0 98 102 10 88 78 - - - 

2 below 0 94 % 14 90 86 -- - 


2below0 95.25 97.25 10.25 89.5 81.7 3.9 98.3 97.6* 

These tabular displays of the results of observations, al¬ 
though very limited in their extent, indicate pretty correct¬ 
ly, it is presumed, the annual and monthly standard heat, 
and the extremes, ranges, and variations of temperature, at 
this place, and two nearly corresponding situations in the 
Atlantic states. From which it appears, that the opinion 


*This line shows the mean of the above columns. 


























concerning the greater heat of this climate, first expressed by 
our late illustrious President, afterwards glanced at by Los- 
kiel,* and since supported and extended by Mr. Volney, is 
not, at least in its full extent, correct. The former publish¬ 
ed his celebrated NOTES, at a time when but obscure ac¬ 
counts respecting this country had been received; the latter 
traveled here in 1796, and therefore should have possessed 
more correct information. He however seems to have been 
sometimes misled by a favorite and ingenious, but not unex¬ 
ceptionable hypothesis. 

It is true that these respectable writers have collected se¬ 
veral facts, and might even have added more, which appa¬ 
rently tend to support the assertion, “that this country is 
warmer by three degrees of latitude than the Atlantic States.” 
But as the thermometrical observations made at this place 
tend considerably to invalidate this opinion, it is necessary, 
if possible, to refer the phenomena they have observed to 
other causes. It may be urged, however, that the observa¬ 
tions which have been stated, should not be compared with 
those made at Philadelphia; for the summers of large cities, 
it is said, are warmer than those of the surrounding country, 
by several degrees of latitude.f If this were the case, the 
comparisons that have been made, would indeed be 
altogether inconclusive. But that it is not, seems highly 
probable: for in 1805 the summer and annual temperatures 
were precisely the same at Philadelphia and Springmill, 
though the latter has 50 feet greater elevation; and the 
summer heat of 1787 and 1805 at Springmill, and 1793 at 
Nazareth, bore the same ratio to the annual heat, as the 
summer and annual heat of Philadelphia ordinarily bear to 
each other.J So that the comparisons which have been 
made are certainly entitled to considerable confidence. 

It has generally been thought that less ice is formed in 
this country, than in the same latitudes in the Atlantic 
States. This observation has more especially been applied 
to the Ohio and Delaware, the former of which is almost 
every winter frozen over at Philadelphia, while the latter 
at this place is but seldom blocked up with ice which it 
floats, and was never known to freeze over. Geography 

^History of the Missions. 

tCaldwell’s Memoirs. 

+Med. Museum, Med. & Phys. Joura. & Rush’s Inq. & Obs. 



16 


however furnishes an explanation of this fact. The Dela¬ 
ware rises in mountainous lands, and runs nearly a southern 
course, bringing down with it the temperature of an elevated 
region of 42 deg. latitude. The Ohio also rises in a moun¬ 
tainous tract, but before reaching this place it meanders for 
400 m. in a deep valley, which probably somewhat reverberates 
the sun’s rays, & which in one place is as low as 38 deg. lat. 
receiving in its course, the Great Kenhawa, from lat. 36 deg. 
the Big Sandy and other southern streams. In consequence 
of this, the water is too warm to be reduced extensively to 
ice, unless the duration of our periods of cold weather (which 
are frequently intense) were longer. This explanation 
receives support from the fact, that the great river Mississip¬ 
pi, which rises far north, has had ice sufficiently strong to 
bear carriages, formed on its surface, in a single night, in 
38 deg. lat. This was affirmed to me by the Messrs. Rec¬ 
tors, as occurring at St. Genevieve, in the winter of 1808-9. 

The residence, in this country, of the Paroquet, a bird 
which in the maritime states, does not inhabit a higher lati¬ 
tude than 36 degrees is considered by Mr. Jefferson* a 
proof of the greater mildness of our climate. But his book 
furnishes sufficient evidence, that those parts of Virginia 
which are nearly two degrees farther north than the habita¬ 
tion of the Paroquet, have a milder climate, or at least as mild 
an one as we know ours to have. So that some other ex¬ 
planation of this fact must be adopted, and that furnished by 
the learned professor Barton, seems the most plausible. He 
ascribes this difference of cis and trans-montane latitude to the 
great length and southern course of our rivers; along which 
birds in migrating, are fond of traveling.t 

This more extensive migration of birds, (animals that 
are known to contribute very much to the dissemination of 
seeds) may be one reason why certain vegetables, such as 
the reed and catalpa, are found farther north in this than the 
Atlantic countries; but the southern origin of the rivers of 
western Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee, and the fertile, 
calcareous, alluvial constitutions of our soil, probably are the 
true causes. 

After all, however, it is not denied that this country is 
possibly warmer than the same parallels in the eastern states, 
but not by any means in such a degree as has been supposed; 

*See his Notes. 

tFragments of the Nat. His. of Penn, as quoted by Dr. Mease. 



1 7 


and Mr. Volney’s tropical summers, during which the ther¬ 
mometer rises to 90 deg. and upwards, for 60 successive 
days, have never yet occurred here.* 

It is asserted in Loskiel’s History of the Missions, and the 
opinion also prevails here, that as we advance northwardly 
on this meridian, the increase of cold is in a greater ratio 
than the increase of latitude. No conclusive corresponding 
observations have been made, to determine this point, but the 
most striking of those which have been collected shall be 
briefly related. 

At Lebanon, not more than 25 min. north of this place, 
according to the information of my friend Dr. J. Canby, and 
others, the complete evolution of vegetation in the spring, 
is several days later than at this place. Frost occurred there 
after the middle of May, 1809, more than a week later than 
at this place. At Dayton and throughout the champaign 
country traversed by Madriver, in the latitude of Philadel¬ 
phia, I am informed by Mr. Joseph Pierce, and other in¬ 
habitants of that tract, the snows are much more deep 
and durable, than at this place; and, Indian corn planted as 
early as the tardy arrival and establishment of genial weather 
will permit, is frequently overtaken by autumnal frost. 
This is strictly true, however, only on the prairies; where the 
unobstructed and rapid progress of the winds produces great 
evaporation, and consequent coldness. 

At Fort Wayne, which is situated in a prairie, about 41 
deg. 10 min. north, it appears from letters from Dr. Abra¬ 
ham Edwards of the army, that in the winter of 1808-9, 
the surface of the ground was covered with snow from the 
1st of December to the 1st of April; whilst during the same 
period at this place, very little snow, but much rain fell; 
that on the 2nd of January in the same winter, at sunrise, the 
thermometer was 17 deg. below cypher, and that at 10 
o’clock, A. M. on the 24th of the same month, it was 3 deg. 
below cypher; whilst at the same period, on the former day 
at this place, the thermometer was nearly 2 deg. above, and 
on the latter about 10 degrees. That on the 21st March 
of the same year, at that place, the snow was 14 inches deep, 
and the Miami of the Lake was closed up with a heavy body 

* In guessing , this ingenious traveler was not always fortunate, or else 
he would have lessened the heat of the atmosphere, and increased that 
of the river, which is not as he stated, 60 or 70 deg. in the summer, 
but 80 deg. or more. 



18 


of ice; whilst at this place, no snow covered the ground, 
and the thermometer rose as high as 40 degrees. The great 
coldness observed at Michilimackinac by maj. Swan, and at 
Hudson’s sea by Umphraville & Robson, places, however, 
west of this meridian, is well known. 

It would be incorrect from such desultory facts to draw 
any general conclusion: they however render the opinion 
mentioned above, probable, and at the same time extend the 
comparison between the temperatures of the eastern and 
western states. They show that the parallel of 41 deg. in 
our meridians, as in those of Pennsylvania, is the southern 
limit of steady cold.* 

What are the variations of standard temperature, as we 
advance along a parallel of latitude from the foot of the 
Alleghenies to the Stony mountains? Future observations 
in various places can alone determine this. Two or three 
facts may be mentioned, however, which would induce a 
belief that it does not at least get warmer, as we advance 
westwardly. The Wabash and Mississippi freeze over in 
one night in lat. 38 deg. and lieut. Symmes informed me, 
that in 1809, the Arkansas froze over in one night, and 
continued frozen for several days. These facts however, 
are inconclusive, and we must patiently wait for future co- 
temporaneous observations. 

That our climate has undergone a change, is a popular, 
and with many, a favorite opinion. The regular observa¬ 
tions made here at an early period, are too few and desultory 
to determine this point accurately; and many of them can¬ 
not now be had. The deficiency however, has been suppli¬ 
ed in part, by conversation with numerous intelligent persons 
long resident here, and by an abstract obtained from governor 
Sargent, through the politeness of maj. John Brownson. 
The conclusion to be drawn from the whole of which, is, 
that our summers are about the same, our winters nearly the 
same, though -possibly somewhat colder. 

The winters between 1785 and ’91 are stated to have 
been uniformly mild. The winters of 1792-3, ’95-6, 
*99-1800, 1805-6, and 1809-10 were also very mild. That 
of 1791-2 was severe, with deep snow; that which fell in 
January only, amounting to 24 inches. On the 23d of 
that month, the thermometer was 7 deg. below 0. The 


*See Rush’s Inq. & Obs. 



1 9 


winter of 1796-7, is universally considered the coldest ever 
experienced here. On the morning of the 8th of January, 
according to gov. Sargent, the thermometer was 18 deg. 
below 0, and in the course of the month it was below that 
point, 4 other mornings. The Ohio that winter was shut 
up with ice four weeks, and frost occurred as late as the 22d 
of May. The winters of 1798-9, 1803-4, 1804-5, 1806-7, 
and 1808-9, were all severe, but not as intense as that of 
1796-7. Of the other winters since 1790, nothing certain 
can be learned: but, it is believed, that they were tem¬ 
perate. 

Of the summers since that time, less can be collected than 
of the winters. The prevalent opinion, however, is, that 
on an average, they are neither cooler nor warmer than 
formerly. The summer of 1808 was excessively hot, while 
that of 1809 was temperate and pleasant. 

Respecting spring and autumn, not much early information 
can be obtained. But it appears, from the manuscript 
furnished by gov. Sargent, that the latest vernal and earliest 
autumnal frosts in 1792, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, occurred about 
the same time that they were observed to occur in 1807, 8, 
9 and 10. 

From these data, although not so numerous as could be 
wished, we may conclude, that the temperature of our climate 
is now nearly the same that it was 15 years ago: for warm 
and cool summers have lately occurred, and mild and severe 
winters succeeded each other before the year 1800, as well 
as since. If, however, these conclusions be rejected, and our 
winters and summers still be considered more intense than 
formerly, the cause must be sought in the partial felling of 
our forests; which admits the N. W. and S. W. winds, the 
principal sources of cold and heat, to move with increased 
velocity. And if so, I would say that just as much change 
has taken place as this cause can produce; which cannot be 
very considerable, for the face of our country is as it were, 
only dotted with farms. In future, as Mr. Volney has con¬ 
jectured, the more unobstructed progress of the S. W. wind 
will continue to increase the heat of our summers; but the 
increase of cold will probably cease at no very distant period; 
for whenever the forests of the territories N. W. of this 
are cut down, an amelioration of our winters must be the 
consequence. 


20 


2. WINDS. 

The intimate relation between the temperature of a coun¬ 
try and its winds renders it necessary to treat of them as 
nearly in connection as possible. The subjoined table shows 
pretty accurately the proportions of our different winds in 
1809; but except it, this article will contain but inconsider¬ 
able additions to what has been before published by others. 


719 observations were made, of which there were 




S' 

S' 

50 

£ 

50 

50 

£ 

50 

£ 

£ 

£ 

* 

£ 


i 

§ 

§ 

Calm. 

In Jan. 

0 

03 

00 

4 

00 

17 

2 

0 

23 

0 

2 

0 

07 

0 

00 

Feb. 

0 

08 

00 

0 

03 

11 

7 

0 

11 

2 

1 

0 

17 

0 

00 

Mar. 

1 

01 

07 

3 

01 

16 

11 

1 

10 

1 

0 

3 

05 

2 

00 

Apr. 

3 

08 

00 

0 

00 

20 

05 

0 

08 

1 

0 

1 

13 

0 

00 

May 

0 

07 

00 

3 

00 

14 

07 

2 

13 

0 

3 

0 

10 

0 

03 

June 

0 

02 

00 

1 

00 

31 

01 

0 

04 

2 

2 

4 

09 

0 

06 

July 

0 

10 

00 

3 

00 

14 

03 

2 

05 

0 

8 

0 

14 

0 

06 

Aug. 

0 

04 

03 

2 

00 

26 

04 

0 

10 

0 

0 

0 

09 

0 

04 

Sept. 

4 

05 

00 

6 

00 

14 

01 

0 

07 

0 

0 

2 

11 

0 

09 

Oct. 

3 

14 

03 

1 

00 

32 

0 

0 

01 

0 

2 

0 

06 

0 

00 

Nov. 

1 

10 

2 

2 

00 

08 

06 

0 

08 

4 

0 

0 

10 

0 

07 

Dec. 

6 

05 

00 

1 

01 

12 

10 

4 

09 

0 

0 

0 

00 

0 

14 

18 

77 

15 

26 

5 

215 

57 

9 

109 

10 

18 

10 

111 

2 

1 o 

1 ^ 


In the following table the proportion which each particu¬ 
lar wind bore to all the rest, at this place in 1809, and also 
the proportion which each wind bears to all the rest in some 
of the Atlantic states, is exhibited. It obviously, however, 
cannot be the basis of any very correct general conclusions.* 



Western 

Eastern 

Excess 

Excess 

Winds 

States 

States 

in West, states. 

in East, states. 

E. 

.268 

.960 


.662 

S. E. 

1.137 

1.111 

.026 


S . 

.600 

.708 


.108 

s . w . 

3.200 

2.127 

1.073 


w . 

.985 

.703 

.282 


N. W. 

1.616 

2.767 


1.151 

N. 

.565 

.432 

.133 


N. E. 

1.632 

1.194 

.438 


Southern 

Northern 

4.937 

3.813 

3.946 

4.393 

.447 

.580 


*It was conceived that this could be most advantageously done by 
means of decimals. Ten was assumed as the whole of the observations 
and each fraction expresses the proportion which the wind, placed 
opposite to it, bore to all the rest. The observations were reduced to 
8 principal points, and the 49 observations when it was calm were 
rejected. The Eastern observations, all made in the middle states, 














.With regard to the S. W. wind the following facts may 
be stated:—1. It prevails more than any other. 2. It com¬ 
mences, generally, sometime after sunrise, and ceases towards 
evening. If it continue after dark, more especially with 
any degree of violence, it indicates rain. 3. It seldom fol¬ 
lows rain under 12 or 24 hours. 4. It attends, and indeed 
is the principal cause of our warmest weather. 5. It prevails 
more here than in the Atlantic states, and is one of 
the causes of this country being warmer than that, if it be. 
6 Most of its phenomena are conformable to the beautiful 
theory of the very ingenious Mr. Volney, but numerous 
additional observations are still wanting. 

Of the N. W. wind, it may be remarked:—1. It is colder 
than any other, and the longer it continues, the lower is its 
temperature:—2. At this place it comes from a region alto¬ 
gether south of the great chain of lakes; while in its passage 
to the middle Atlantic states, it travels over that chain, for 
several hundred miles. This fact shows the possibility of its 
being as intense at Cincinnati, as at Washington or Baltimore; 
although in reaching those places, it has crossed the rampart 
of the Alleghenies: For that it acquires heat from the 
lakes, is evident from the warmth of those places to the 
leeward of Erie:—3. It almost invariably follows rain:— 

4. It has not diurnal intermissions like the S. W. wind, but 
frequently blows throughout the night:—5. It sometimes 
brings rain, oftener snow, but in 9 cases out of 10, it is the 
harbinger, and indeed the cause of clear weather:—6. An 
inspection of the preceding table shows that if the same pa¬ 
rallels be colder, on the eastern and western sides of the 
mountains, it is as much owing to the undue prevalence of the 
N. W. wind there, as to the predominance of the S. W. wind 
here. The surfaces of the Atlantic ocean, and the countries 
lying between it and the mountains are generally warmer 
than the mountains themselves, and hence W. and N. W. 
winds are readily produced:—8. It generally wafts forward 
our thunder storms, as Dr. Franklin long since remarked. 
It then, contrary to its usual manner, commences to the 
windward, and probably may be nothing but a deflected 

5. W. current. 

were supplied by Williams’ History of Vermont, and Jefferson’s Notes 
on Virginia. The Williamsburgh northern observations were omitted 
as the extraordinary prevalence of the N. wind at that place has been 
supposed to be owing to some local cause. 



Concerning the N. E. wind, the following facts may be 
stated:—1. It may reach this place without passing over any 
part of the Allegheney mountains, by traveling from the 
mouth of Davis’ Straights, over the river St. Lawrence, 
Lake Ontario and the eastern end of Lake Erie:—2. It inva¬ 
riably produces rain, or snow, or at least cloudy weather, 
but not to such a degree as in the Atlantic states:—3. It 
generally commences in the night, and is commonly no¬ 
thing more than a gentle but steady breeze; sometimes how¬ 
ever (more especially it is said, within 2 or 3 years) it is 
driving and impetuous. 4. When this wind begins to blow, 
if the thermometer be high, it sinks; if very low, it rises. 

The E. and S. E. winds pass over the Alleghenies in 
reaching this country. They no doubt deposit much of 
their moisture on those mountains, but still they almost in¬ 
variably produce rain or snow.—During the night of the 
16th of March, 1810, there fell 5 inches of damp snow; 
the S. E. wind blowing gently during that period, and for 
most part of the preceding day. 

The S. wind may be cosidered stormy. It is generally 
impetuous, and as Mr. Tolney has remarked, almost certain¬ 
ly produces lightning. The cause of this curious phenome¬ 
non has not yet been developed. 

Cotemporary observations at various places, in the cour¬ 
ses of our different winds, would probably show, that the 
southern generally commences to the windward, and the 
northern to the leeward; and hence, that one division of 
them is produced by an a posteriori, and the other by an 
a priori cause. The northern winds we know commence 
to the south, and it is inconceivable that a volume of heated 
tropical air should move northwardly, without a propelling 
cause. Whether the east & west winds have their origin to 
the leeward or windward, is uncertain. The former is proba¬ 
bly governed by the same laws with the N. E. for it is gene¬ 
rally moist & cool, but the character of moistness belongs also 
to the S. E. wind, so that it is impossible that the E. has 
sometimes the same origin with the S. E. The west wind, 
a very pleasant one, may sometimes be a N. W. at other 
times a S. W. diverted from its proper direction: or it may 
be compounded of N. W. and S. W. currents which have 


2 3 


impinged and taken the diagonal of their former courses. 
The S. E. is one of the principal winds of this country, and 
it possesses characteristics essentially different from the S. and 
S. W. in as much as it seldom brings thunder, but precedes 
and attends moderate continued rains. There can be little 
doubt, from analogy, and from the facts collected by the 
learned Dr. Mitchell,* but it is a windward current. Accu¬ 
rate observations, however, at the same time, from Charles¬ 
ton to this place, St. Louis, Detroit, &c., are much wanted, 
and would be highly interesting. 


3. WEATHER. 

It is difficult to express the proportions of clear and cloudy 
weather by figures, but the following summary of observa¬ 
tions in 1809, is probably worth insertion. In that year, 
there was an unusual proportion of cloudy weather, and al¬ 
though an uncommon quantity of rain did not fall, it rained 
very often. The 6th and 7th columns do not, as probably 
they should, express only those days on which it rained or 
snowed somewhat copiously; but they express also several 
sprinkles of both kinds, which were inconsiderable. 

rain <5r» snow , thunder <5r» quantity 
clear, cloudy, variable, hazy, foggy, mist, sleet & lightning. of rain 

hail. snow in inches. 


Jan. 6 

15 

10 

— 

— 

4 

4 

2 

4.6 

Feb. 3 

23 

— 

2 

— 

8 

11 

4 

5.6 

Mar. 9 

11 

11 

— 

— 

9 

9 

3 

3.1 

Apr. 10 

7 

11 

2 

2 

12 

— 

6 

34 

May 14 

5 

9 

3 

2 

4 

1 

2 

46 

Jun. 15 

4 

11 

— 

11 

7 

— 

14 

2.8 

Jul. 21 

7 

3 

— 

10 

11 

— 

4 

2 4 

Au. 16 

3 

11 

1 

12 

5 

— 

4 

2.2 

Sep. 24 

— 

6 

— 

23 

2 

— 

1 

.8 

Oct. 20 

4 

7 

— 

17 

2 

— 

— 

.5 

Nov. 8 

12 

8 

2 

2 

2 

1 

— 

1 9 

Dec. 11 

16 

4 

— 

— 

9 

3 

1 

6. 

157 

107 

91 

10 

79 

75 

29 

41 

37.9 


Greatest quantity of rain in 24 hours, December 4th, 3 3 inches. 
Deepest snow 5 inches. 


*See Medical Repository. 





24 


No Pluviametrical observations were made at this place, 
previous to 1809; and I have to regret that those made du¬ 
ring that year, and stated in the last column of the above 
table, are not very accurate. The pluviameter was nothing 
but an accurately cylindrical tin vessel, of sufficient depth. 
It was kept in a proper situation, and the water emptied 
immediately after every rain or snow, kept to the end of 
the month, and then measured. The column annexed 
above, if it do not accurately express the quantity of rain 
during the year, indicated pretty correctly the relative 
quantities in the different months. 

The fogs of the Ohio and its waters are dense, but they 
rarely continue till 9 o'clock, A. M. They are most con¬ 
stant in June, July, August, September, and October. 

The dew in this country is said to be more copious, and 
the quantity of atmospheric humidity greater, than in the 
Atlantic states. No comparable hygrometric observations, 
have, however, been made in the two countries, under cir¬ 
cumstances precisely similar; and till that is done, a correct 
conclusion cannot be drawn. It is highly probable, that on 
the borders of Lake Erie, and in the depths of those forests 
which cover level land, the quantity of moisture is greater 
than in the cultivated portions of the Atlantic States; but a 
fair comparison cannot be made under circumstances so 
dissimilar. 

The quantity of snow in this country is considerably less 
than in the Atlantic states in the same latitude; and this is 
one of the circumstances in which the two countries differ 
most materially. The E. and N. E. winds, which bring such 
deep snows east of, & on the Allegheny mountains, in conse¬ 
quence of passing that elevated tract, or from some other 
cause, produce far less here. We seldom have falls of snow 
to exceed 6 inches; and generally they are not upwards of 
four. It is uncertain whether the E. and N. E. or the N. 
W. produce the deepest snows. The snow which does fall, 
seldom lies very long, nor are our streams long covered with 
ice, for our winters are nothing but a succession of mild, and 
intensive severe weather: So that although their mean tem¬ 
perature be low, the frequent occurrence of transient periods 
of mild weather counteracts the more powerful operations 
cold. 

We invariably have frost about the termination of the first 
week of May, and sometimes as late as the end of the third 


2 5 


week. Inconsiderable frosts occasionally occur in autumn, 
as early as the equinox or before; but the more severe 
ones are not felt till the 15th or 20th of October. There 
are, however, great differences between different seasons in 
this respect. On the night of the last of August, 1789, the 
Indian corn in the northern parts of Kentucky was greatly 
injured by frost; and on the night of the 9th of the same 
month, in 1809, frost was observed in the vicinity of this 
town. 

In the evening, during the summer, our horizon is fre¬ 
quently illuminated with broad obtuse flashes of lightning, 
which are unattended by thunder or rain. In 1809 the 
most conspicuous of these appearances were noted; which 
is the reason that the 8th column of the preceding table con¬ 
tains so many figures. 

No barometrical observations have yet been made, or at 
least published, in this country. 


4. CALENDARIUM FLORAE. 

Calendaria Florae furnish interesting indications, res¬ 
pecting the influence of climate, upon vegetables, and the 
lower orders of animals. They, however, do this imper¬ 
fectly, unless they be kept for several successive years, and 
the aspects, elevations, and qualities of the soils in which they 
grow be noted. They must also, as was long since done, 
be accompanied by certain meteorological remarks, other¬ 
wise they frequently exhibit, upon a comparison with each 
other, considerable contrariety. For the accession of mild 
weather, in the latter part of winter, or early in the spring, 
may bring forward vegetation rapidly, for a time; but the 
occurrence of colder weather may at length suspend its pro¬ 
gress to a very late period. This was the case during the 
present spring. The later part of February was so mild, 
that the maple and elm began to flower, the rose and weeping 
willow to leave, and the buds of numerous other vegetables 
to swell. March, however, nearly suspended these inter¬ 
esting operations; and it was reserved for the genial month 
of April to revive and nearly complete them, with a rapidity 
and luxuriance the most unrivalled. 



26 


The following fragment, as far as it extends, may serve to 
indicate the progress of vegetation, in this part of the valley 
of the Ohio in 1809. Upon comparing it with similar 
ones kept in 1807 and 8, the dates appear to hold nearly a 
middle place between the dates of those two years; being in 
most stages of Spring, about 10 days earlier than the first, and 
10 later than the last. There is a difference between this 
valley and the adjoining upland country probably of 3 or 4 
days, except on southern declivities. 

As the meteorological observations made during that year 
have been already detailed, they will not be stated in the 
calendar. 

CALENDARIUM FLORAE. 1809. 


Feb. 27 
March 1 


4 

5 

9 

11 

16 

18 

25 

28 

29 

31 

April 3 


4 

5 

6 
9 


Flower buds of the water maple (acer rub.) swollen* 
Do. peach & lombardy poplar beginning to swell. 
Bees out of the hive. 

Wild pigeons (col. mig.) geese and ducks (anas 
can. et bos.) returning northwardly. 

Flower buds of the water maple beginning to open. 
Commons becoming green. 

Buds of the weeping willow (s. babylon.) swelling. 
Frogs (ranae) sing. 

Buds of the weeping willow unfolding. 

Water maple in full flower. 

Gooseberry leaf buds beginning to open. * 

Grackle (graccula quiscula) arrived. 

Flower buds of the elm (ul. amer.) begin to open. 
Doves (colum. carol.) mourn. 

Elm in full flower. 

Lilac (syringa vulg.) beginning to bud. 

Red-headed woodpeckers (pic. erythro.) arrived. 
House flies appear. 

Radishes, tongue-grass, peas and lettuce planted. 
Buds of the privet, (ligust. vul.) beginning to open. 
Appletree buds beginning to open. 

Lilac leaves unfolded. 

Red currant buds beginning to open. [unfold. 

Flower buds of the sugartree (acer sac.) beginning to 
Bluebirds (motacilla sialis) building nests. 

Purple martin (hirundo purpurea) arrived. 
Lombardy poplars in full flower. 

Quince leaves unfolded. 

Peach blossoms beginning to open. 


27 


April 9 Gooseberry shrubs in full flower. 

Sand swallow (hirun. rip.) arrived. 

10 Leaves of the sweet briar (rosa rubig.) unfolded. 

12 Red currants in flower. 

14 Sugartree leaves opening. 

Barn swallow (hirun. urbica) arrived. 

15 Peachtree in full flower. 

Weeping willow do. 

Catbird (muscicap. carolinensis) arrived. 
Tonguegrass fit for the table. 

16 Dandelion (leonto. tarax.) in flower. 

Peartrees in full bloom. 

Lombardy poplar leaves unfolding. [9th inst. 

Oats (avena) and flax (lin. usita.) sowed since the 
20 Appletree in full flower. 

Chimney swallow (hirun. rust.) arrived. 

23 Quince in full bloom. [its leaves. 

Black locust (robin, pseud.) beginning to expand 

24 Monthly strawberries beginning to flower. 

Lilac in full flower. 

26 Althaea leaf buds beginning to open. 

May 3 Radishes fit for the table. 

9 Dogwood (cornus florida) in full flower. 

12 Racemes of the black locust full grown. 

16 Saw nighthawks (caprim. amer.) 

White clover beginning to flower. 

18 Blackberry (rubus occiden.) beginning to flower. 
Blacklocust in full flower.* 

Indian corn (zea mays) planted. 

20 Woodbine (lonicera caprifol.) beginning to flower. 

21 Peas fit for the table. 

25 Poplar (liriden. tulip.) in full flower. 

Rye (secale) beginning to flower. 

28 Sweet briar beginning to flower. 

June 2 Privet beginning to flower. 

4 Red currants beginning to ripen (plentiful.) 

10 Black mulberries (mor. nig.) begin to ripen. 

15 Elder (sambu. canad.) beginning to flower. 


*It is highly probable that the flowering of this beautiful tree, the 
Robinia Pseudacacia of Linnaeus, indicates the proper time for planting 
that important vegetable the Indian corn. For several successive years 
I have observed our farmers generally, to plant the corn during some 
stage of its flowering. This is from the 10th to the 20th of May. 



28 


June 15 Jamestown weed (dat. stram.) beginning to flower. 
16 Flax beginning to flower. 

20 Raspberries (rub. idaeus) ripe (plentiful.) 

24 Cherries (prun. cer.) ripe (plentiful.) 

Timothy (phi. prat.) harvest begun. 

26 Mullein (verbas. thap.) in flower. 

July 4 Rye fit to reap (good crop.) 

7 Poke (phytol. decand.) beginning to flower. 

12 Althaea in flower. 

Blackberries ripe. 

Wheat (triticum) fit to reap (generally good.) 

23 Indian corn beginning to flower. 

24 Oats fit to reap (heavy crop.) 

28 Indian corn in full flower. 

August 1 Eupatorium perfoliatum beginning to flower. 

4 Unripe Indian corn in market. 

9 Early peaches ripe. 

14 Aesculus flava beginning to defoliate. 

Sept. 4 Wild pigeons beginning to arrive from the north. 

13 Lombardy poplar beginning to defoliate. 

20 Wild pigeons numerous. 

26 Woods variegated. 

29 Wild geese arrive. 

Octr. 20 Woods highly variegated. 

But few trees have yet entirely lost their leaves. 

30 Indian corn ripe (great crops.) [ting. 

Nov. 5 Black locust, apple tree, and cherry trees defolia- 

9 Woods almost leafless. 

22 Weeping willow leaves killed by the frost. 


ERRATA. 

Page 3, line 1, of the Prefatory Remarks, for “Flora,” read Florae. 
6, 8, from the bottom, for “maple,” read maples, 

do. 15, for “triacunthos,” read triacanthos. 

22, 21, for “cosidered,” read considered. 



The Quarterly Publication of 
the Historical and Philosoph¬ 
ical Society of Ohio 



Vol. Ill, 1908, No. 2 
APRIL-JUNE 





















Historical and Philosophical 
Society of Ohio 

Burnet Woods, - Cincinnati , Ohio 


OFFICERS 


JOSEPH WILBY, - - - 

FRANK J. JONES, .... 
HOWARD C. HOLLISTER, 
CHARLES T. GREVE, - 
JOHN FLACK WINSLOW, 

ALBERT H. CHATFIELD, - 
MISS L. BELLE HAMLIN, 
NATHANIEL HENCHMAN DAVIS, 
DAVIS L. JAMES, 

MERRICK WHITCOMB, 

CHARLES J. LIVINGOOD, - 
ELLIOTT H. PENDLETON, - 


President. 

Vice-President. 
Vice-President. 
Corresponding Secretary. 
Recording Secretary. 
Treasurer. 

Librarian. 

- Curators. 




Quarterly Publication of the His¬ 
torical and Philosophical 
Society of Ohio 


Vol. Ill, 1908, No. 2 
APRIL —JUNE 


Notices Concerning Cincinnati 


BY 

DANIEL DRAKE 

PART II. 


A Page-for-page Reprint of the Pages Twenty-nine to Sixty 
of the Original Issue of 1810, and Appendix 


PRESS OF JENNINGS AND GRAHAM 

CINCINNATI, OHIO 


Entered as second-class matter June 12, 1906, at the post-office at Cincinnati, 
Ohio, under the Act of Congress of July 16, 1894. 



Committee in Charge of Publication 


CHARLES T. GREVE. 
MERRICK WHITCOMB. 





29 


IV. Condition of the Town. 


The well established fact, that customs, manners and habits 
exert a decided modifying influence on diseases, renders it 
necessary, before proceeding any farther, to exhibit a concise 
statement, the items of which, abstractly considered, are 
insignificant, but taken aggregately, appear to be of too much 
moment to be omitted. 

CINCINNATI was laid out in 1789. The first emigration 
was in the preceeding year. About two-thirds of the houses are 
in the ‘Bottom', the rest on the ‘Hill’. It is in squares of 
396 feet. The streets, except Broadway (which is an hun¬ 
dred) are 66 feet wide. They intersect each other at right 
angles, and the meridional vary 17 deg. W. from N. This 
cannot be considered so favorable to ventilation as an eastern 
variation, for our prevalent winds are in a line running from 
S.W. to N.E. None of the streets are paved. Alleys are 
not numerous. There is no permanent common, except an 
inconsiderable one between Front-street and the river.— 
Along some of our side walks trees are planted, but they are 
not sufficiently numerous. The absurd clamor against the 
caterpillar of the Lombardy poplar, caused many trees of 
that species to be cut down; and at present the white flow¬ 
ering locust very justly attracts most attention: it should be 
cultivated still more generally. 

The number of dwelling houses is about 360. They are 
chiefly built of brick and wood: a few are of stone. Scarcely 
any are so constructed as to afford habitations for families 
beneath the surface of the ground; and not many are built 
with porches. 

The town contains two cemeteries. One is for the inter¬ 
ment of the deceased of all denominations. It lies between 
Fourth and Fifth streets, nearly in the centre of the hill 
population. It has been a common receptacle for the town, 
for strangers and for the troops in Fort Washington, previous 
to the erasement of that garrison, since the first settlements 
here. Its area is something less than half a square. The 
other place of sepulture is designed for the use of the Metho¬ 
dist society. It was established about five years ago, in the 
N.E. quarter of the town, on the hill. 

E 




3 ° 


There are eight brick yards. They lie in the western 
part of the Bottom, near the second bank, which is the lowest 
portion of the site of the town. They abound in pools, the 
water of which has been drained from almost every part of 
the town. 

The shambles of our butchers are fixed on the bank of 
Deer creek, to the N. and N.E. of the town. The tan¬ 
neries are in the same direction. 

The population of Cincinnati and its suburbs is 2320 souls. 
Of which number 1227 are males, 1013 females, and 80 are 
negroes. The number of children under 16 years is 1051. 
The number of persons over 45 years is 184. The number 
who have attained to the Scriptural limit of human life, three 
score and ten, is not known; but as men who have passed 
60 years of age, do not often emigrate to new and distant 
countries, instances of great longevity are not to be expected 
here. Indeed from the recent settlement of this place, few 
or none of its adult inhabitants are its natives. They have 
emigrated from every state in the union, and from most of 
the countries in the west of Europe; more especially Ireland, 
England, Germany and Scotland. The American emigrants 
have been supplied principally by the states north of 
Virginia. 

A population derived from such distant sources, and so recently 
brought together, must necessarily exhibit much physical, as 
well as moral diversity. The climate and soil have not yet 
introduced an uniform constitution of body; nor customs, 
manners and laws an uniform moral character. The inha¬ 
bitants are generally laborious. By far the greatest number 
are mechanics. The rest are chiefly merchants, professional 
men, and teachers. Wealth is distributed more after the 
manner of the northern, than southern states; and few or 
none are so independent, as to live without engaging in some 
kind of business. 

A great portion of the inhabitants are temperate. There 
are not a few, however, who daily but quietly become intox¬ 
icated, and no very inconsiderable number have been known 
to fall victims to that habit. Whiskey is in universal, but 
not exclusive use, among the intemperate: beer and cider 
are generally drunk by those of more sobriety. Well water 
is generally drunk in the summer; and used otherwise by a 
few, throughout the whole year. But the water of the river 
drawn up in barrels, is employed for all domestic purposes 


3 1 


by far the greatest number, and is drunk throughout half 
the year by at least half the inhabitants. 

The use of tobacco, among the male sex, is much too 
general. It is not confined to those who might derive bene¬ 
fit or comfort from it, but extends, with the usual number 
of exceptions, to all ages, from ten years old, upwards. 

The diet of the inhabitants is similar to that of the people 
of the other middle, and eastern states. Green tea and coffee 
are in general and extensive use. Fresh meats are eaten in 
great quantities. Beef, more especially in the summer and 
autumn, is used to the exclusion of most other meats, in a 
great many families. The market is well supplied with cu¬ 
linary vegetables. Fermented wheat bread is in very gen¬ 
eral use. It is commonly eaten fresh, but hot bread is much 
seldomer served up here, than in the southern states. Indian 
corn bread is by no means uncommon. Rye is almost un¬ 
known as an article of food. Fish are not a principal article 
of diet, though the river affords many. 

The dress of our inhabitants is similar to that of the other 
inhabitants of the middle states. The females injure their 
health by dressing too thin, and both sexes by not accom¬ 
modating the quantity of clothing to the changes of the 
weather. The amusments of balls and other evening par¬ 
ties, so destructive to female health in all parts of the United 
States, are engaged in here, but not to remarkable excess. 

No natural or artificial mineral waters are used here in 
the summer; nor are there any artificial baths. Bathing 
in the river is practiced by some, but is less regular and gene¬ 
ral than it ought to be. 


3 2 

V. Diseases. 


Having, in the preceeding sections, taken a cursory view 
of the physical condition of Cincinnati and its vicinity, we 
are now prepared for a few enquiries respecting the diseases 
of its inhabitants. These enquiries, however, will be limited 
to the fulfillment of a promise, incautiously made, upon dis¬ 
tributing the previous sections of these memoranda; before 
the magnitude of such a work as the Medical History of a 
new region was fully appreciated. Nothing more, there¬ 
fore, will be attempted, than briefly to indicate the principal 
endemic diseases, and their supposed sources. 


MIASMATA. 

From the topographical survey in the first section of these 
Notices, it will be readily seen, that Cincinnati is not naturally 
obnoxious to many sources of MARSH MIASMATA. The 
river beach opposite the town, is narrow, and, neither it, 
nor the bank exhibits much decomposable matter. The 
lower and back part of the bottom, afford some portions of 
ground, that are yearly overflown by the spring rains; but 
they might be easily drained, and therefore may be ranked 
with the artificial causes, which may be always removed. It 
is to the inundated interval lands about the mouth of Mill- 
creek, that we are to look for the most prolific source of ve¬ 
getable miasmata. This miasmata, however, affects the 
town much less than might be supposed, from the following 
causes:—1. The drowned lands lie so much to the N.W. 
that through the summer and autumn the town is but 
seldom to the leeward of them; the prevailing winds then 
being from the S.W. During the present autumn, when 
few or no cases of ague and fever existed in town, a great 
number of the inhabitants, to the leeward of those grounds, 
experienced that disease. 2. Of that tract, a large propor¬ 
tion is covered with trees. It should have been left, as 
nature prepared it for us, entirely covered. Where a tract 
of wet ground can be rendered permanently dry, it should be 
cleared and cultivated; but when it is subject to annual in¬ 
undation, the case is different. The more completely the 





33 


rays of the sun are then intercepted, the lower will be the 
temperature of the earth’s surface, and the less the quantity 
of noxious gas evolved. 3. Between those intervals and the 
town, grows a forest of tall trees. There are strong reasons 
for believing, that the poisonous exhalation from marshes is 
hydrocarbonate.* Now this substance is readily decompo¬ 
sed by vegetables.t But whether the gas evolved, be a hy¬ 
drocarbonate, or according to our very ingenious country¬ 
man, Professor Mitchell, an oxyd of septon,+ (which latter 
substance, however, it has not, I believe, been proven, is de¬ 
composed by vegetables) the efficiency of trees in intercept¬ 
ing its progress, and destroying its virulence, is established 
by numerous authorities^ This forest should, therefore, be 
considered in the light of a rampart against a perpetual enemy, 
and preserved in the most sacred manner. 

The artificial sources of miasmata, are not more numerous 
than the natural, but they are much more operative. The 
back part of the bottom, throughout its whole length, is a 
‘hot-bed’ of animal and vegetable putrefaction. In some pla¬ 
ces, it is true, the ground has been raised (not with any re¬ 
gard to health, but to render it cultivable) those parts, how¬ 
ever, make much the smallest proportion. The eastern end 
of this slip of low ground is a broad shallow canal, which 
conveys the water that falls on the site of the town, satura¬ 
ted with nuisances, to the pits of the brick yards; from 
whence neither it, nor the putrescent load can escape, except 
in the form of exhalation or gas. For its escape in this 
manner the heat of our summer sun, increased by the reflec¬ 
tion from the contiguous high bank, is amply sufficient. 
Upon learning this state of things, observing and reflecting 
men, who have been accustomed to trace the acknowledged 
connection between endemic fevers and the spontaneous de¬ 
composition of animal and vegetable matter, would not hesi¬ 
tate to pronounce, a priori-That our principal febrile 

diseases, and more especially the typhous affections that have, 
as will be stated hereafter, scourged us for a twelve month 
past, are most probably owing to the exhalations here spoken 
of. But to proceed cautiously, and avoid all possibility of 

*See Chisholm on Fever, vol. 1. 

tSee Fourcroy’s System of Chem. Knowl. 

jSee Medical Repository. 

$See the writings of Rush, Jackson and Barnwell. 




34 


error in our conclusions, it will be well to take some addi¬ 
tional views. 

Upon the settlement of this town, fevers of the typhous 
kind were not uncommon. They arose, as in all newly set¬ 
tled tracts, from the putrefaction which followed the destruc¬ 
tion of the forest and exposure to the rays of the sun of a 
moist fertile surface. As this was a transient cause, the effect 
was not permanent, and a period succeeded, which was 
comparatively healthy. But this state of things was not very 
durable. The flood of emigration to this place, which 
commenced in 1805, required such a rapid increase of houses, 
and consequently of bricks, that in less than three years, the 
number of brick yards, which previous to 1805 did not exceed 
two or three, was augmented to eight. The accumulation 
of filth in those pits which were first dug, had been constant¬ 
ly going forward, so that the quantity of exhalation in 1809 
and 10 may be estimated at more than ten times as much as 
it was seven years before. Now it is notorious, that during 
those years there occurred more malignant cases, of those 
diseases which are generally, but improperly termed putrid, 
than had presented themselves for the seven, or even ten 
preceding years. Further—These typhous affections pre¬ 
vailed most in December, 1809, but during that month not 
a single case presented itself east of Main-street, which nearly 
bisects the town. In the course of the ensuing year cases 
occurred in the other half of the town, more especially in 
the eastern end, which is to the leeward of a shallow pond, 
that has been a common receptacle of filth for more than ten 
years. The western parts, however, have still been more 
sickly than any others. Again—December, 1809, was a 
warm moist month, with southerly winds; and there was 
not only more sickness during that month than any other, but 
it occurred chiefly to the leeward of the ponds. Towards 
the close of January it became so cold that the mercury in 
Fahrenheit’s thermometer sunk 7 deg. below 0, and not a sin¬ 
gle case of typhus occurred in the practice of either Dr. 
Allison, Dr. Sellman, or myself, for a month afterwards. 
February was mild, and in the beginning of March, the 
disease returned. It became more healthy in April and the 
first half of May, but the latter half of that month was in¬ 
tensely hot, and new cases immediately followed; some of 
them exhibiting symptoms of great malignity. The rest of 
the year was temperate, even cool, and cases of the same 


35 


disease have now and then presented themselves. Thus we 
see, that those inhabitants contiguous to, and to the leeward 
of the alledged sources of disease, have been its greatest vic¬ 
tims, and that its appearance and disappearance have been 
considerably influenced by those states of the atmos¬ 
phere, which were capable of affecting the progress of 
putrefaction. It is not believed, however, that this is 
the sole cause, that has operated in these cases. Sydenham, 
more than a century ago, unfolded the existence of sickly 
states, or constitutions of the atmosphere, during which all 
the acute diseases that occurred, appeared to partake of cer¬ 
tain characteristics in common. Professor Rush, and some 
other American writers, have, with equal precision and 
greater science, pointed out the existence of such constitutions 
in the United States. An atmospheric temperament of this 
kind appears to have existed in this part of the country for 
some time past; its tendency seems to have been to favor 
the production of typhous diseases. This temperament is a 
predisposing cause. The exciting cause is the miasm or 
noxious exhalation of which we have been speaking; and 
wherever such an agent exists, whether in town, or in the 
adjoining country, these diseases may be produced. 

From these tedious but necessary details, it is thought that 
the opinion of the insalubrity of those ponds is sufficiently 
corroborated ; and it only remains to suggest the means of 
removing such a potent cause of disease. This is easily done. 
The gravel, sand and pebbles of the adjoining second bank, 
form a cheap, convenient and proper material for filling up 
the pits, except such as are necessary to furnish water for the 
manufacture of bricks; and it is earnestly hoped that such 
an important object will no longer be neglected. 

Of our cemeteries, it may be remarked, that the one at¬ 
tached to the methodist church, from the limited number 
that are interred in it, will not very soon evolve much mias¬ 
mata, and what it may ever produce is too much to the lee¬ 
ward of the town to be a general injury; but the case is 
different with that of the Presbyterian church. Whenever 
the population about it becomes dense enough to prevent a 
free circulation of air, and the interments have become 
double or treble what they now are, its exhalations must 
inevitably produce disease. No time, therefore, should be 
lost, in fixing on a new field for sepulture, without the pale 


3 6 

of population, whither the contents of the present should 
be removed. 

The shambles of our butchers, and the tanneries, if they 
be sources of miasmata, are injurious only when the N. E. 
wind prevails. At present they have no perceptible agency 
in the production of our endemics. 

These appear to comprehend all the sources of koino-mi- 
asmata, and it only remains in this part of the subject, to 
notice two or three cases of the production of idio-miasmata. 
Typhus fever has been observed, here, as in other places, to 
be produced by a domestic cause; for the generation of 
which, want of cleanliness and want of free ventilation, seem 
necessary. The latter however, probably has most efficiency. 
I have observed these circumstances to exist in healthy parts 
of the town without producing typhus, so constantly as in the 
sickly parts; so that the public and domestic causes seem 
sometimes to co-operate. In one instance of this kind, 
where a large family lodged in a close room of an old wood¬ 
en house, which stood in the western part of the Bottom, 
one or two cases of typhus mitior, and two cases of malig¬ 
nant and fatal typhus gravior occurred, cotemporaneously, 
during a warm winter month. Means were employed to 
effect free ventilation, and no new cases appeared. It is 
from such instances as these, that the opinion, that typhus is 
infectious, has arisen. I can assert from observation, that it 
is not. I have never seen it extend to more than one or two, 
in a house that was clean, well ventilated, and its inhabitants 
were lodged in seperate apartments. But it is unnecessary to 
urge facts against an hypothesis that is already exploded. 

If the constant use of fresh beef, and other unsalted meats, 
in the summer and autumn, be a cause of disease, it must be 
noticed in this place. But it has not appeared from observa¬ 
tion, that they have had much agency in producing the in¬ 
testinal affections which have prevailed here. Vegetable 
aliment may produce the exciting cause of that kind of head- 
ach which depends on the presence of acetous acid in the 
stomach, provided that organ be previously debilitated; and 
if the stomach and intestines be in a state of debility, fresh 
meats may suffer spontaneous decomposition, the oxyd of 
septon be generated, and all the varieties of intestinal disease 
produced. In this way, during the debilitating influence of 
a koino-miasmata atmosphere, the animal fibre received into 
the alimentary canal may be chemically decomposed, and 


37 


produce a disease of the dysenteric kind, which, without such 
an exciting cause, might have been a fever. In those cases, 
where a large number of persons have suddenly had dysen¬ 
tery, induced by eating fresh beef, it probably at first acted 
in a manner similar to that of any other article of diet, to 
which the stomach and bowels had not been habituated: it 
excited simple diarrhoea, this debilitated the digestive organs, 
the production of septous oxyd ensued, and the phenomena 
of dysentery followed. 


VARIATIONS OF ATMOSPHERIC TEMPERATURE. 

Neither the cold, nor heat, of the climate of this country, 
appears to produce many diseases. The former is sometimes 
so great as to freeze the extremities of those who are expo¬ 
sed ; but death has seldom or never been produced by it. 
Goitre and scurvy, if they be dependent upon cold in other 
latitudes, are certainly not among its effects here. The heat 
of our summers appears also to produce but few diseases. 
The coup de soleil, or stroke of the sun is unknown; and 
death from the inordinate use of well water, so common in 
Philadelphia, from some cause is scarcely known here. 
Langour and oppression are, however, frequently experien¬ 
ced to a distressing degree, more especially upon the sudden 
accession of hot weather in May and June. Rashes, or cu¬ 
taneous efflorescences of various kinds, appear to depend on 
the heat of the summer. Children are much more liable to 
them than adults. They are certainly diseases, but need 
not to be dreaded, as they are unattended with danger, and 
their presence may protect the system from more formidable 
complaints. Febricula, or inward fever, and anorexia, are 
not uncommon in the hotest weather, but they seldom outlive 
their cause, and do not often render medical assistance ne¬ 
cessary. 

But if the extremes of temperature separately, be compa¬ 
ratively harmless, at this place, their sudden alternation is a 
most fruitful source of disease. By those, however, who 
skilfully accommodate their dresses and domestic fires to these 
variations, but little bad effect is ever felt. But among the 
imprudent, the exposed, and those who are predisposed to 
the diseases excited by this cause, it produces the worst ef¬ 
fects. In the spring and autumn, the diurnal variations, 
which are greater than in summer, tend to excite intermitting 

F 


i 






and remitting fever, as has been remarked by Professor 
Rush. But this is among the most inconsiderable effects of 
this cause. In the muscles and membranes of the extremi¬ 
ties, it produces rheumatism ; in the face and throat, tooth- 
ach, pain of the jaw and decay of the teeth, catarrah, tonsilitis, 
&c. in the thorax, pneumonia, consumption, croup, &c. It 
moreover frequently co-operates with marsh miasmata, and 
produces a disease in which the phenomena, and the indica¬ 
tions of cure, are considerably different from any disease 
produced by those causes separately. 

Whether the effects of this sudden alternation be always in 
proportion to its degree is doubtful. I have observed a great 
variation sometimes to occur without corresponding bad 
consequences : other states of the atmosphere may possibly 
modify its effects. 

Changes from heat to cold, appear to be more prejudicial 
than those of the opposite kind. One reason of which, pro¬ 
bably, is, that the system relieves itself from the effects of a 
sudden application of heat, by perspiration, but possesses no 
such resource in the other case. 

The natural tendency of this cause seems to be to produce 
diseases that are purely inflammatory; but the winter of 
1809-10 furnished opportunities of observing, what had 
been remarked before by others, that there is in epidemic 
constitutions, a kind of omnipotency, as it respects other causes 
of disease. The pulmonary affections, of that sickly season 
were few, and bore the lancet indifferently. 


MISCELLANEOUS ARTICLES. 

Fogs are by many considered an active cause of disease. 
Dr. Jackson, in his Treatise on the Fevers of Jamaica, seems 
to have put this opinion in its proper light. A fog may be 
the vehicle of marsh miasmata, but is not of itself deleterious. 
It is nothing but elevated water, and can produce no effects 
beyond those of simple moisture. This a priori decision ac¬ 
cords with fact, for in this town, those who are most exposed 
to the fogs, certainly are not more sickly than others. Both 
fog and dew, however, may be sometimes the exciting causes 
of fever. By conducting off the heat, and lessening directly 
the excitement of the system, they increase the excitability, 
and thereby augment the efficiency of miasmata. The in¬ 
ternal use of river water has by some people been deemed 



39 


unhealthy. Its degree of saline and aerial impregnation, is 
certainly much less than that of well water, or even that of 
spring water; but there does not appear to be any just 
foundation for the opinion of its insalubrity. It produces, 
so far as observation can determine, no disease, excepting diar¬ 
rhoea in those unaccustomed to it, which is nothing more 
than spring and well water produce on those who have been 
habituated to the use of river water. The occurrence of 
that disease, is no proof therefore, of the unhealthiness of 
any water. In some diseases, however, although the river 
water be not positively unhealthy, the greater benefit result¬ 
ing from the use of well water, makes it seem so. These 
are cases of dyspepsia. In this disease the carbonic acid, the 
carbonates, and other salts of the well water produce very 
salutary effects. A lady in this town has repeatedly had all 
the symptoms of dyspepsia aggravated and palliated, by the 
alternate use of river and well water. 

Before concluding the consideration of the causes of dis¬ 
ease, it may not be amiss to observe, that some progress 
has been made, in the discovery of the cause of the endemic 
disease, announced in the appendix, to the sections of these 
Notices, which were printed last spring. The people who 
live where it prevails, are of opinion, that the milk of the 
cow is poisoned by some unknown deleterious plant on which 
the animal feeds. It has not yet been discovered; but the 
experiments which have been made, and the facts which have 
been collected, seem almost sufficient to command our full 
assent. 


MIASMATIC DISEASES. 

In specifying the diseases of this place and its vicinity, it 
will be proper to commence with those endemics which are 
ostensibly excited by miasmata. They are the following:— 
Ague and Fever, Periodical headach, Intermitting and Re¬ 
mitting bilious fever, Typhus mitior and gravior, Cholera 
morbus, Cholera infantum, Diarrhoea, Dysentery, Jaundice 
and Opthalmia. 

AGUE AND Fever. A tertian ague has been considered 
the simplest form of fever; and if unity of cause, greater re¬ 
gularity in the trains of diseased action, and more uniformity 
in the disorders consequent upon those trains, entitle any 
febrile affection to a character of greater simplicity than the 
rest, it certainly belongs to this disease. Its legitimate cause 




4 o 


appears to be generated by the decomposition of vegetable 
matter alone; its empire in the system is more limited than 
that of most fevers; and the same consequence, dropsical 
effusion, more constantly results from it, when protracted, 
than almost any consequence from any other disease. In a 
series of notices, therefore, respecting our endemics, this 
disease constitutes the most proper commencement. 

In the adjoining state, Kentucky, the thirsty calcareous 
ridges and dry narrow valleys are unfavorable to the pro¬ 
duction of ague and fever, and it is but seldom felt, except in 
the vicinity of some of the larger streams. But in this state, 
especially in the central, northern and western parts, a leveler 
surface, with a diminished quantity of calcareous and an in¬ 
creased proportion of argillaceous matter, admits of a more 
frequent production of this disease. Even here, however, 
it is rarely fatal; and except in a few situations, its preva¬ 
lence or malignity has never rendered it a serious evil, nor 
retarded in any perceptible degree, the current of emi¬ 
gration. 

Concerning its symptoms, but little need be said. It 
generally assumes the quotidian type; sometimes the tertian, 
and more rarely the double tertian, or quartan. When left 
to itself, it commonly produces hepatic affections of a mild 
kind, with ascitic or anasarcous effusion; but under the or¬ 
dinary treatment, it seldom proves obstinate, except where 
its remote cause continues to act. In such cases, when the 
removal of the patient has not been attended to, it has some¬ 
times resisted the combined action of the most powerful re¬ 
medies, and proved fatal. Emetics, cathartics, and the bark, 
with opiates and gentle diaphoretics, are generally found 
sufficient. In a case of protracted quotidian, the cold fit of 
which was so intense as to threaten life, my respectable friend 
and preceptor, Dr. Goforth, administered 4 oz. of the bark 
in substance, during a single apyrexia. The patient 
recovered. 

With arsenic, exhibited according to the formula of Pro¬ 
fessor Barton, I have sometimes succeeded ; and during the 
present autumn (1810) a gentle salivation, as suggested by 
Professor Rush, effected a cure in two cases, which had 
obstinately resisted many other remedies. The great ten¬ 
dency in this disease to produce hepatic affections, would 
seem to point out mercury as a principal medicine, in long 
continued cases. 


4i 


PERIODICAL HEAD-ACH. As it is deemed correct to 
range with the ague almost any disease that has diurnal 
paroxysms, the “sun-pain” or periodical head-ach may be 
introduced here. In its most regular form, it consists of a 
pain in the lower part of the os frontis on one side, near the 
orbit of the eye, commencing early in the morning, and 
continuing through a part or the whole of the day. But these 
symptoms are not constant. There does not appear to be 
any inflamation in the pained part, and the arterial action 
is generally defective. The stomach and bowels are com¬ 
monly overloaded with bilious matter. From observations 
at this place, it prevails more in winter than summer. It 
is generally sporadic; but in the winter of 1803-4 so 
many were affected with it, as to entitle it to the appellation 
of an epedemic. Antispasmodics are absolutely inadequate 
to the cure, as are also sinapisms and blisters. The latter, 
however, are a good auxiliary. Evacuations from the sto¬ 
mach and bowels with the subsequent use of the bark, as in 
ague and fever, are the most certain, and generally the only 
remedies necessary. I have never known it prove fatal. It 
does not appear to effect those of any age, sex, or condition, 
exclusively. 

Intermitting and Remitting Fevers. Tomake 

room for the anomalous affection of which we have just 
spoken, the higher grades of bilious fever have been arbitra¬ 
rily separated from the ague, of which they are merely 
extended and more intense degrees—augmented effects of 
the same cause. The assertion, which was first made by 
that illustrious pathologist, Professor Rush, is amply sup¬ 
ported by the phenomena which these diseases have exhi¬ 
bited at this place. From the simplest ‘shaking ague’, with 
a febrile paroxysm of two or three hours, to an intense 
bilious fever with a remission scarcely perceptible, I have 
observed symptoms of the same kind. In the ague the cold 
fit is considerable; in what is popularly called the dumb 
ague, and here denominated intermitting fever, the chilliness 
is less regular and violent, and in the more ardent remittent, 
the cold stage is feeble or wholly absent. The danger there¬ 
fore is generally in an inverse proportion to the intensity of 
the cold stage. A diminution of both chill and fever is 
favorable, of the chill alone, unfavorable. 

As it is only designed in these Notices to announce some 
of the principal phenomena of our diseases, a detailed account 


42 


of the symptoms of these fevers will not be attempted, and 
the following limited remarks may suffice. 

They are invariably attended with an undue excretion of 
bilious matter. In the present state of pathological science, 
this excretion is not regarded as the cause of the disease, but 
it certainly produces some of the secondary symptoms, and 
aggravates the whole. It also tends to prevent the action of 
sudorifics, sia agogues and tonics, and I am convinced from 
experience, notwithstanding the plausible reasonings of that 
eminent chemist, Professor Mitchell, that it ought to be 
expelled from the system as early as possible. It has not 
been proven that the vitiated secretion of the liver contains 
soda; and if it do, in these cases it will probably be better 
to alkalize the alimentary canal by some more unexception¬ 
able agent. 

The state of the pulse in these affections at this place, has 
not appeared to vary very much. It is commonly full, 
frequent and tense, but seldom hard or depressed. It has fre¬ 
quently tempted to the use of the lancet, but not always with 
the anticipated benefit. Indeed our bilious fevers in most 
cases, although apparently of an inflammatory character, do 
not admit of copious venesection. For some time past at 
least, the tendency to typhus has been so great, that the lan¬ 
cet has been almost wholly laid aside. Every autumn is not 
however alike in this respect, and these diseases have occa¬ 
sionally been presented in a form that unequivocally indica¬ 
ted, and really required extensive bloodletting. 

But venesection in these complaints is the only evacuant 
that is not uniformly beneficial. Emetics and cathartics, 
diaphoretics and sudorifics, diuretics and sialagogues are all 
of great consequence. The two first are indispensable. 
Emetics however cannot be safely employed where the 
degree of inflammatory action is great; but it appears to 
me that in the reformed practice of medicine in the United 
States they are by many physicians, too much neglected. 
I have repeatedly observed cathartics to fail evacuating the 
stomach, and in bilious fevers of the milder kind, one or two 
emetics would probably always be beneficial The employ¬ 
ment of this medicine, however, will not remove the necessity 
for cathartics; and in all cases they should be administered, 
and generally repeated till the discharges exhibit a healthier 
aspect. This is the method which has usually been pursued 
here, and with satisfactory advantage. It has not, however, 


43 


always been possible to procure good discharges, even where 
medicines, to supercede morbid action, have been employed 
at the same time. Such cases have usually proved fatal. 
The choice of cathartics has not been deemed a matter of 
great moment, provided calomel be not omitted. From the 
disordered state of the biliary system in these diseases, that 
medicine seems to be peculiarly required. It is also required 
as a sialagogue; and when it can be made to produce a good 
salivation at the same time that it evacuates the bowels, it 
does all that can be expected from medicine—it invariably 
cures the patient. 

Sudorifics and diaphoretics have been employed in these 
fevers, after due evacuation from the stomach and bowels, 
and from the blood vessels in some cases, with manifest ad¬ 
vantage. And diuretics have been frequently found service¬ 
able. , It appears to me that sal nitre, which in the quantity 
of a scruple or half a drachm every hour, is no contemptible 
remedy in the milder bilious fevers, produces its good effects 
chiefly by operating as a diuretic. After sufficient evacua 
tion and reduction of the tone of the system, the combination 
of opium with this salt forms a valuable sudorific and anodyne. 

Blisters have been employed in these affections with the 
usual benefit. 

Cases of bilious fever have occasionally presented them¬ 
selves, in which the bark could not be taken even during 
convalescence; but in most instances, after due evacuation, 
that medicine has been found beneficial. In general, the 
probability of its being servicable, is in proportion to the 
violence of the cold stage. In some cases, where neither 
the chill nor fever was considerable, I have seen cream of 
tartar and the bark combined, given throughout the whole 
twenty-four hours with evident advantage. But these cases 
should be properly referred to the ague and fever. 

Having found but little good effect from nitric acid in other 
diseases, I have never tried it in bilious fever. 

TYPHUS MlTIOR AND GRAVIOR. These diseases seem 
to bear the same relation to each other that is observable in 
intermitting and remitting fever. They are also in this 
country closely connected with those affections, and furnish 
a good proof of the correctness of that pathological idea, 
which questions the doctrine of diagnostics. The difference 
between a case of inflammatory remittent, and one of typhus 
gravior, is indeed very manifest, but these are to be regarded 


44 


as the extremes: many of the milder cases are so com¬ 
plicated, that the pathognomonic symptoms of neither disease 
appear to predominate. 

The more characterized cases of these typhus affections 
frequently exhibit nearly the same derangement of the 
biliary system with the fevers already noticed. But they are 
attended with many phenomena not common in those simpler 
affections, such as inactivity of the functions of the brain, 
oppression of the thorax, and the exhaustion of the muscular 
energy. They are also generally accompanied with diar¬ 
rhoea, in which the discharges are constantly vitiated ; and 
almost invariably with complete anorexia. In the more 
violent cases the pulse is small, intermitting and frequent, and 
the pains and anxiety of the thorax and abdomen are very 
great. In milder cases the pulse is fuller, but always fre¬ 
quent, and the restlessness gives way to profound stupor. 
The tongue is generally dry, and sometimes covered with a 
dark colored hard crust that appears cracked into fissures. In 
two cases there occurred an eruption of pimples, which in a 
few hours became filled with pus. They both proved fatal. 
Concerning their other phenomena, the limits of this work 
will not admit of any detail. 

As these diseases consist in a more extended series of mor¬ 
bid actions, than those we have before considered, they are 
of much more difficult management, and have not unfre- 
quently proven fatal at this place, during the last two years. 
Before that time they occurred more seldom. Their cure 
has been attempted nearly in the same way with that of the 
bilious fever, except the early administration of tonics and 
stimulants, and the total omission of venesection. 

These medicines, with mercury and cold water, would 
probably in most cases effect a cure, could they be retained 
in the system; but the tendency to diarrhoea has generally 
been so great as to preclude the copious exhibition of sudo- 
rifics or of mercury, and require the constant use of astrin¬ 
gents, demulcents, and alkalies. Of the former class of medi¬ 
cines, saccharum saturni and geranium root (geranium ma- 
culatum ) have been employed with most advantage. Of the 
latter, the alkaline earth, magnesia alba, has been commonly 
preferred. When mercury has not been employed, these 
complaints have generally had their full course, the typhus 
gravior a shorter, the typhus mitior a longer one. The ordi¬ 
nary remedies in many cases appear to have saved life, but not 


45 


cured the disease. Mercury, however, has done both. In 
the few instances in which a genuine salivating effect has 
resulted, the disease has yielded and the patient recovered, 
some cases have occurred in which mercury ulcerated the 
mouth without producing ptyalism, and then it did but little 
service. 

Blisters have been a constant remedy in these typhus af¬ 
fections. Much advantage has frequently resulted from 
them; but it has been considerably diminished, by the 
strong tendency to gangrene which the blistered places, in a 
great number of instances, have shown. Among the effects 
of blistering in a case of typhus mitior, may be mentioned the 
total suspension of a copious ptyalism attended with sore 
mouth, for two days, and its return upon the cessation of in¬ 
flammation in the blister. 

A local application of cold water has been frequently made, 
with obvious advantage. But a general affusion, as recom¬ 
mended and practised by several ingenious physicians of the 
present day, has never been resorted to here. Many cases 
of our mixed fevers, appear to be very analagous to those in 
which Dr. Jackson found the cold affusion so beneficial; 
but at this place medical intrepidity has heretofore yielded to 
the invincible prejudices of the people. In May, 1810, I 
had a case of typhus mitior, in which the patient was expo¬ 
sed, covered with a single sheet, to a constant and copious 
current of fresh air, except a few hours of the latter part of 
the night: His recovery, which was unusually rapid, ap¬ 
peared to depend much more on that than on the medicines 
employed. 

Cholera Morbus& Cholera Infantum. Theseaf- 

fections having essential symptoms in common, and probably 
depending on a similar mode of action of the same cause, 
may be considered together. Their phenomena, however, 
are not perfectly identical. The first is generally a disease 
of adults. When it has appeared at this place, it was atten¬ 
ded with inconsiderable fever, but with copious billious dis¬ 
charges, and ultimately with spasms and cramps. It has 
usually terminated in health in 24 or 48 hours. The chole¬ 
ra infantum is commonly attended with fever, which is some¬ 
times intense; the discharges are not uniformly bilious; stu¬ 
por and insanity are apt to supervene; it sometimes termi¬ 
nates in health, or in death, in two or three days; but gen¬ 
erally has a protracted course, producing, with great debility, 


4 6 


a peculiar, sunken and languid state of the eyes. These 
two varieties of cholers agree, however, in being apparently 
excited by an irritating material, exerting a strong impres¬ 
sion on the stomach and duodenum. 

The former of these diseases is much rarer at this place 
than the latter. It appears sporadically during the warm 
part of the year, but has never yet been epidemic. Of 
its treatment I have nothing to observe, except that in one 
protracted case, in which the discharges were very bilious, a 
salivation, induced, principally, by mercurial frictions, sud¬ 
denly removed all the symptoms. 

The Cholera Infantum prevails every summer, in this 
town and its vicinity, and may be regarded as the principal 
disease to which our children are liable. As in other parts 
of the United States, it precedes the other summer and fall 
endemics, generally beginning in June, and sometimes much 
earlier. In this disease I have seen calomel in small doses, 
with, or without opium, according to the state of the pulse, 
as recommended by Dr. Miller, of more service than any 
thing else. Cold applications to the abdomen, and head, 
have also proved very advantageous. I have never tried 
the cold immersion, as practiced by some physicians. At the 
same time, that the refrigorating applications are made to 
the head, sinapisms to the feet have been useful. When 
the evacuations have been very copious, and the child’s 
strength is very much reduced, calomel and opium, with a 
milk decoction of the geranium root are invaluable. This 
complaint, however, has frequently resisted the powers of 
these and other medicines, and either proved fatal in two or 
three days; or assumed a protracted form, and yielded to 
nothing but the frosts of the succeeding autumn. 

Diarrhoea & Dysentery. An epidemic diarrhoea, 
has never been known here. This disease, however, occa¬ 
sionally presents itself throughout the whole summer; and 
appears like the other endemial affections of the warm sea¬ 
son, to depend on miasmata. Its cure has generally been 
attempted with rhubarb, and other cathartics, followed by 
alkalies, farinaceous preparations, geranium root, and other 
astringents; aided, in obstinate cases, by the cold bath, 
flannel next the skin, and exercise on horse-back. 

The Dysentery is a more formidable disease. Every 
summer and autumn furnish sporadic cases of it, and in 1808 
it was epidemic. In the month of July, of that year, it was 


47 


more prevalent, than any disease has ever been at this place, 
except the influenza. Fevers, during its predominance, 
were not observed to occur, and the simple diarrhoea and 
cholera infantum, which appeared cotemporary with it, did 
not long preserve their pathognomonic characters. Not¬ 
withstanding this power of banishing, or assimilating to itself 
other diseases, this epidemic was mild, and proved fatal in 
but few instances. It was not often attended with fever, 
and the appetite, generally, was unimpaired. The morbid 
cause appeared to exert a very limited power on the system, 
mucous and sanguinious discharges, with gripings, constitu¬ 
ting the principal symptoms. Large portions of Ol. ricin. 
alternated with opium, or opium and ipecac, were chiefly 
relied upon; and when aided by amylaceous and glutinous 
preparations, were generally sufficient. When astringents 
were required, the geranium root was employed with suc¬ 
cess. The carbonates of potash and magnesia were exhibited 
in several cases, but not with very marked advantage. In 
the dysenteries of some parts of this country, however, 
they have been found more efficaceous. My friend, 
Dr. Canby, has employed them along with the usual remedies, 
with a success, as honorable to himself and his profession, as 
to the respectable Professor, who first pointed out their mo¬ 
dus operandi in this disease, and insisted on their exhibition. 
The dysentery of 1808 was so mild, that calomel was 
scarcely resorted to. It had been epidemic previous to that 
year, but has not been since. 

JAUNDICE. This is one of our endemics, but it is seldom 
very prevalent. Throughout the whole of the year 1808, 
cases of it presented themselves more frequently, than be¬ 
fore, or since. It was generally attended with a dull pain 
in the pit of the stomach. I heard of its proving fatal in one 
case, in the vicinity of this town. In one instance it was 
connected with a slight eruption, and violent itching in the 
skin, attended with a synocha pulse, and required bloodlet¬ 
ting. Generally the pulse was weak, and the whole system 
appeared to partake of the inaction of the alimentary canal. 
It affected adults more than children. 

As a remedy for this disease, the puccoon root (sanguinaria 
canadensis) has been recommended by Dr. Schoepf.* The 
people in this part of the country employ a tincture of it. 


See Barton’s Collections, part 1. 



4 8 


for the same purpose, and from experience I can declare it 
almost a specific. But I prefer giving it in substance. 

OPTHALMIA. On the arrangement of this affection 
among the miasmatic diseases, it is by no means intended to 
insist. The following are the reasons for which it was re¬ 
ferred to that head, and physicians can estimate them, as they 
deserve. 1, The opthalmia is an endemial disease of this 
country, which like our other endemics, appears sporadical¬ 
ly every summer, and occasionally becomes epidemic, affec¬ 
ting great numbers, especially children. 2, It occurs as 
much, if not more, along our water courses, and in the 
depths of forests, as on open plains or uplands; and there¬ 
fore neither dust, not reflected light, has any agency in its 
production. 3, When epidemic, it appears and declines 
about the same time, with our other summer miasmatic 
diseases. 4, It has been prevalent before the annual bur¬ 
ning of the woods, which invariably takes place in some parts 
of this country, and therefore is not occasioned by smoke. 
5, In the summer of 1807, I was assured of two cases, 
in which this disease alternated with cholera infantum; 
the opthalmia prevailing at night and the cholera infantum 
in the day. Similar cases have been mentioned to me by 
Dr. J. Canby. 6, This disease has diurnal exascerbations. 
It is generally worst at night, even where the eyes have not 
been exposed to the light. In one case, the subject of which 
(a man of veracity and observation) communicated the ac¬ 
count to Dr. Este, of Hamilton, it assumed a tertain type. 
During the paroxism, which had about the length of a 
common fit of fever and ague, light and every exertion of 
the eye were intolerable; but during the intermission, he 
was entirely free from those morbid sensibilities. The same 
physician has also lately met with a case in his practice at 
that place, in which opthalmia had true tertain paroxisms. 
7, Topical applications are seldom adequate to the cure, and 
means calculated to operate on the general system, must be 
resorted to, in all violent cases. 8, It is somewhat difficult 
to conceive, how, either directly, or through the medium of 
the general system, the action of miasmata can be concentra¬ 
ted in the eye; but there does not appear to be in it, any 
physical impossibility. 

Of the local remedies in this disease, I have generally seen 
the stimulating, the most beneficial. Cold water seldom gives 
permanent, and frequently not momentary relief. I had 


49 


lain it aside before reading the experiments of Dr. Wilson, 
which prove inflammation to consist in defective, instead of 
excessive action. Of the general remedies, blood-letting 
and purging are frequently necessary. They reduce the 
action of the system, at large, when necessary, and prepare 
it for the exhibition of opium and sudorifics. The former 
is necessary in all obstinate cases. I have seen from two to 
six grains given during a single night, with obvious and per¬ 
manent advantage. In protracted cases, a salivation would 
probably be of great service. In a case of several months 
standing, in which the eyes were covered with films, to such 
a degree, as to produce total blindness in one, and very im¬ 
paired vision in the other, after various collyria, blistering, 
repeated cupping, sternutatories, cathartics, opium and tonics 
(the pulse being weak) were employed for several weeks, 
with inconsiderable advantage; a salivation suddenly remo¬ 
ved most of the inflammation, and promoted the absorption of 
the films, so far as to restore one eye entirely, and render co¬ 
lors perfectly distinguishable by the other. 


DISEASES CONNECTED WITH VARIATIONS OF 
ATMOSPHERIC TEMPERATURE. 

The diseases comprehended under this head, are not ex¬ 
clusively produced by changes in the temperature of the at¬ 
mosphere; but this cause so frequently excites them, that 
they may with propriety be referred to it. The principal 
ones which have been observed to occur here, are Catarrh, 
Consumption, Pleurisy, Peripneumony, Rheumatism, and 
Tooth-ach. 

CATARRH. This is the most ordinary and simple effect 
of the above cause. It does not appear to be more frequent 
or obstinate here than in other parts of the United States. 
The Schneiderian membrane appears to be first affected 
in most cases of this disease. From thence the morbid action 
extends to the pharynx and larynx, and the pulmonary affec¬ 
tion follows. In children, this disease is sometimes attended 
with such symptoms, that it can scarcely be distinguished 
from the genuine croup, except by the facility with which 
it yields to medicine. The common catarrh, upon a refer¬ 
ence to its cause, appears to be essentially different from the 
influenza, and should probably be always regarded, in the 
language of Dr. Sydenham, as an intercurrent disease; yet 



5 ° 


it sometimes becomes almost as prevalent as the epidemic 
just spoken of; and there is some foundation for believing 
that in the causes of the two diseases there is an intimate 
connexion. But as one of them results even from a trifling 
variation in the state of the circumambient caloric, and the 
other traverses whole continents, uninfluenced by any chan¬ 
ges of that kind, it is difficult to perceive in what the con¬ 
nexion consists. 

The catarrah is frequently a harrassing and protracted dis¬ 
order, but is formidable, chiefly, as an exciting cause of con¬ 
sumption, of which we will now proceed to speak. 

Pulmonary Consumption. From Dr. Spaldings 
bills of mortality, it appears that in Portsmouth, New Hamp¬ 
shire, a fifth of the deaths are from this disease. In Phila¬ 
delphia it carries off between a fifth and a sixth. In this 
town, from several years observation, I am confident that a 
tenth or twelfth of our deaths from consumption, is a liberal 
estimation. So that if we make due allowance for the skil- 
fuler treatment of this deplorable malady by our more en¬ 
lightened fathers and brethren of the maritine cities, we 
may conclude that consumption occurs nearly three times as 
often in those places as in this town. It has, however, 
been a more frequent and fatal disease since the influenza of 
1807, than before. Its subjects are generally women, be¬ 
tween the ages of 15 and 30 years. 

I have not had the satisfaction of seeing this disease cured 
by a salivation. In several cases mercury, in conjunction 
with the usual auxiliaries, has been exhibited to such an ex¬ 
tent as to produce ptyalism for several weeks: It has appeared 
to mitigate, but in no instance, whatever, to remove the 
disease. From digitalis no greater benefit has been derived. 
In cases of legitimate phthisis, its exhibition has been con¬ 
tinued unceasingly for several months; and it has sometimes 
moderated the pulse, but never superseded the cough or 
hectic fever. In two instances the vegetable alkali was 
given for many weeks in large quantities; but no advantage 
resulted. Of the efficacy of those nearly obsolete remedies, 
carbonated hydrogen gas and azotic gas, mixed with atmos¬ 
pheric air, I can say but little from experience. But in the 
vicinity of this town, nearly a whole family has been swept 
off by consumption, while living in a situation, the atmos¬ 
phere of which, must have abounded, at least, with the for¬ 
mer of these gases; and in 1808, a phthisical patient was put 


5 1 


under my care from an aguish part of the country, whose 
hectic fever was preceded, every other day, or every third 
day, by a chill and shake, so violent, that her friends suppo¬ 
sed her to have the ague. The two diseases, indeed, appear¬ 
ed to be combined. 

PLEURISY. This disease was more prevalent here pre¬ 
vious to the visitation of the influenza, than since. It has 
seldom presented itself in such a shape as prohibited the use 
of the lancet. It is almost invariably attended with a pre¬ 
ternatural excretion of bile, and not unfrequently with a very 
obvious degree of hepatic affection. Bleeding, blistering, 
and the common antiphlogistic regimen are inadequate to the 
cure in such compound cases, and a liberal use of mercury 
must be resorted to. It has been given so as to evacuate the 
bowels freely, and also to excite a ptyalism as early as possible. 
Upon the accession of that effect, the symptoms have almost 
invariably yielded. Mercury, indeed, is wholly indispensa¬ 
ble in these bilious pleurisies, and when combined with the 
ordinary antiphlogistic treatment, is seldom unsuccessful. 

PERIPNEUMONY. That singular epidemic the influenza, 
whilst it diminished, at this place, as has just been stated, the 
number of cases of pneumonia pleuritis, seems to have invi¬ 
ted a more frequent occurrence of the pneumonia peripneu¬ 
monia; for since the autumn of 1807, the latter disease has 
been much more common, than previous to that period. Its 
most conspicuous phenomena are, a frequent elastic pulse, 
cough, obtuse pain in some part of the thorax, or the total 
absence of all pain in that region; frequent and difficult, but 
not painful respiration, and inability to lie with the head and 
shoulders level with the body. In one case which terminated 
in vomica, not the slightest pain was at any time felt above 
the diaphragm; but there was a constant pain in the lower 
part of the left hvpochondrium, attended with vitiated al- 
vine discharges. In this complaint, there is not, as in the 
pleurisy, any crisis on the 5th, 7th, or 9th day, but it con¬ 
tinues until, probably from congestion or disorganization of 
the lungs, it terminates in death, at no specific period; in 
vomica; or in health, from the successful exhibition of medi¬ 
cine. It is, like the pleurisy, occasionally attended with de¬ 
rangement of the biliary system. 

In the treatment of this complaint, blood-letting and the 
ordinary antiphlogistics, are indispensable; but it is seldom 
possible to reduce the morbid force and frequency of the 


5 2 


pulse by them alone. From the progress and termination of 
several cases, it is rendered probable, that mercury and digi¬ 
talis are the most efficient medicines that can be superadded 
to the common debilitating means. The first of those ac¬ 
tive substances should be given so as to produce a ptyalism, 
which in part effects the reduction of the pulse, and appears 
to prepare the system for the reception of the second. In 
the administration of the digitalis, a constant regard should 
be had to its effect on the pulse. If it do not produce a 
slow, pausing pulse, it is of but little advantage. During 
the convalescence from this disease, I have felt the pulse of a 
young adult, at 52 and 54 or 56 strokes in a minute, with 
very remarkable intermissions: when it was in that state she 
felt active and comfortable; when a relaxation in the exhibi¬ 
tion of the medicine permitted the pulse to rise to 70 or 80, 
dyspnoea, & oppression at the breast rendered it difficult for her 
to lie down, or to make any considerable exertion. A sali¬ 
vation preceeded its use in this instance, and indeed in almost 
every case of peripneumony, in which it has appeared to be 
serviceable. The following case will in part confirm this, 
and may be somewhat interesting in other respects. 

W. W. aged 26 years, with a flat chest, and distant shoul¬ 
ders, was seized in July with a severe cough, and inability 
to lie with his head and shoulders low. After trying the use 
of some popular remedies for several days, with no good 
effect, he applied to me. Finding his skin cool, his pulse 
slow and weak, his thorax entirely free from pain and stric¬ 
ture, and that he had no thirst, and could walk about, I did 
not at first suspect the existence of inflammation. An emetic 
and cathartic, with the subsequent use of anodynes, and a 
plaster of Burgundy pitch, were employed without any ad¬ 
vantage whatever. In three or four days he was unable 
to lie down at all. His exemption from pain, and weak 
pulse continued; but it was determined to bleed him.— 
About eight ounces were taken, which exhibited some 
slight traces of buff. A blister was then applied to his side. 
His pulse did not rise, from bleeding, but as he felt rather 
better, the next day, it was repeated to the quantity of twelve 
ounces. The blood drawn this day was more sizy; and 
after the operation, his pulse rose a little. On the succeed¬ 
ing day he was bled again. The blood exhibited much in¬ 
flammatory crust, and after the operation his pulse became 
full, tense and frequent. .His cough continuing, the admin- 


53 


istration of calomel, with squills and nitre, was now com¬ 
menced. Venesection, to the quantity of fourteen or sixteen 
ounces, was continued every day, or every other day, from 
this time for a week, the pulse beating 120 strokes in a min¬ 
ute, with a great degree of energy. The blood was re¬ 
markably cupped and sizy. By the expiration of that time, 
a salivation came on. No considerable reduction of the 
pulse followed, but he was able to lie with his head and 
shoulders lower. The use of digitalis was then begun. It 
was given in substance. In three or four days the expected 
intermissions in the pulse occurred, and it was soon at 60 and 
54 in a minute, having sustained an equal reduction in its 
force and fullness. The cough soon became more mode¬ 
rate, expectoration increased, and his amendment was une¬ 
quivocal. The digitalis has been continued ever since (a 
period of six months) in such quantities as generally to keep 
his pulse in a state of defective action; he has taken exercise 
on horse-back, and at this time has as good a prospect of 
complete restoration, as is consistent with a malformed 
thorax. 

Was the pulse depressed in this case? Is it not more 
probable that the disease was at first local, and that the arte¬ 
rial system did not sympathize for some time. In the fanci¬ 
ful manner of Dr. Darwin, it might be said, that depletion 
increased the sensorial power of association, and brought the 
general system into excessive action, much sooner than it 
otherwise would have come. 

Judging, which, however, is improper, from the event of 
a few cases, I am not disposed to ascribe much efficacy, in 
this disease, to the carbonic acid and carbonated hydrogen 
gases, as recommended by Dr. Withering and Dr. Beddoes. 

CROUP. The cynanche trachealis, or hives, is here, as 
well as in the middle and northern maritime states, one of 
the principal diseases of children. It prevails more in au¬ 
tumn, winter, and spring, than in summer, and more in some 
years than others; but it has never assumed that malignant 
and epidemic character which, according to Dr. Dick, it ex¬ 
hibited at Alexandria in 1799. It is almost invariably atten¬ 
ded with fever, and as constantly with a disordered state of 
the bowels, the alvine excretions being green or blackish. 

In one case, only, have I employed blood-letting to any 
considerable extent. The infant had labored under the dis¬ 
ease 16 or 18 hours, but still had a vigorous pulse. The 

H 


5 + 


quantity taken was so considerable, as to produce partial de- 
liquim. Many other of the usual remedies were employed, 
but the patient died. I have seen the violent operation of 
strong emetics at the commencement of the disease, as re¬ 
commended by Dr. Rush and others, of great service. In 
one case that was fully formed, more than a dozen motions 
were procured by an emetic, in less than an hour ; and the 
little patient began to recover immediately. After the ope¬ 
ration of a strong emetic and cathartic, I have found the ex¬ 
hibition of a decoction of Seneca root, as recommended by 
Dr. Archer, of more benefit than anything else. Unusual 
quantities of emetic medicines are necessary to produce vom¬ 
iting in these diseases; and the same observation may be 
made respecting the Seneca decoction. It should be very 
strong, and in most cases given in larger quantities than are 
recommended by Dr. Archer. In one case that was about 
to terminate fatally, such a free exhibition of this decoction 
was made, as to dislodge from the glottis great quantities of 
thick phlegm, tinged with blood. The irritation through¬ 
out the whole system was so great, for a few minutes, as al¬ 
most to produce convulsions, but the urgent croup symptoms 
were mitigated, the threatened dissolution averted, and the 
child recovered. Would not the roots of the Sanguinaria 
Canadensis (which indeed have been employed) the Lobe¬ 
lia siphilitica, and the Jeffersonia binata, produce the same 
effect? The warm bath and blistering are excellent auxil¬ 
iaries in this disease; but the first should never be employed 
until the intensity of the fever is abated by evacuants. 

RHEUMATISM. This disease frequently presents itself 
in this country, but not often in a formidable shape. It 
appears to result from exposure to vicissitudes of the weather. 
Now and then it assumes the form of lumbago. In one 
instance it terminated in white swellings of various parts of 
the body. Among many other remedies, a protracted sali¬ 
vation, with a subsequent course of the volatile tincture of 
gum guiac, was employed in this case without any good effect. 

In the treatment of the milder cases of rheumatism, the 
people use the Seneca oil, a bituminous substance brought 
down the Allegheny river. Concerning the remarkable 
efficacy of this liquid, in removing the numerous cases of 
rheumatism and stiffness in joints, in a detachment of troops, 
here is a note by B. Lincoln, Esq. in the first volume of the 
American Museum. 


55 


The poke (phytolacca decandra) and the prickly ash ( zan - 
thoxilum fraxinifolium) are popular remedies of considerable 
estimation; but the actea racemosa , or squaw root, will pro¬ 
bably supersede them. This powerful medicine has received 
too little attention from physicians. In two instances in this 
town, in which it was taken to excess, it produced the most 
violent and alarming effects. One of them I had an oppor¬ 
tunity of witnessing. In about an hour after the tincture 
was taken, by a person able to go about, and of an inflamma¬ 
tory diathesis, violent pain in the epigastric region came on, 
with vomiting, intense head-ach and delirium. The face 
was flushed, and the pulse full, frequent and tense. The 
loss of fourteen or sixteen ounces of blood, followed by a 
portion of paregoric, and the subsequent use of a cathartic, 
carried off these disagreeable symptoms. The people no 
doubt frequently err, by using this medicine when too much 
inflammation exists. 

TOOTH-ACH. Pain of the jaw, decay of the teeth, and 
tooth-ach, are common here, but by no means so frequent 
as in some of the states. According to Dr. Hazletine, these 
diseases constitute an eighth of the morbid affections incident 
to the inhabitants of the province of Maine. 

Dr. Foot, in an ingenious paper, inserted in the Medical 
Repository, has rendered it highly probable that the undue 
prevalence of these maladies in the United States, is refer¬ 
able to the sudden vicissitudes in our climate. The action 
of septic acid, generated in the mouth, may account for the 
destruction of the teeth in some particular instances; but it 
is difficult to believe that the teeth of the inhabitants of a 
whole country can suffer from that cause. I have seen a 
fine set of teeth apparently decomposed and very much in¬ 
jured in the course of a year, during which time the person 
labored under a high degree of dyspepsia, and frequently 
ejected a very sour liquid. If it be possible for oxalic acid 
to be generated in a human stomach, it probably was in this 
case, and in its passage through the mouth effected the de¬ 
composition of the teeth. 

It frequently happens, that those who have decayed teeth, 
are seized with pains in the jaws, or some other parts of the 
face. These pains are often extremely severe. They are 
not fixed, but attack almost every part of the jaw and some¬ 
times all the teeth in succession; but the most remarkable 
circumstance is, that the decayed teeth are quite as much and 



5 & 


in some cases more exempt from pain than the rest. The 
immediate exciting cause of this kind of pain, is exposure to 
cold; but the agency of the decayed teeth appears manifest, 
from the impossibility, in many cases, of removing the pain 
without extracting them. In one instance, the pain, 
after attacking most parts of the face, at length affected the 
whole anterior part of the head. The use of snuff, howev¬ 
er, soon transferred it to the face again, where it obstinately 
resisted the application of galvanism and many other stimuli: 
upon extracting two decayed teeth, in which scarcely the 
slightest pain had been ever felt, the whole disease instan¬ 
taneously vanished. In another case, the pain of the face 
was attended with many of the phenomena of hysteria ; and 
likewise appeared to have a periodical type, recurring many 
times, in the forenoon. The pulse was weak during the 
paroxism. The bark and volatiles afforded considerable re¬ 
lief. A blister was drawn, on the neck: it moderated the 
pain of the face, but became affected itself with a most insup¬ 
portable sensation, which was likened to the action of needles 
or of animalculae in the flesh, and at the same time it became 
very much inflamed. 

There can be no doubt but that, as Dr. Darwin has asser¬ 
ted, this pain of the membranes which invest the jaws and 
alveoli, contributes to the destruction of the sound teeth; and 
therefore those teeth which are already decayed should be 
extracted as soon as any pain in the face is felt. 


EPIDEMIC DISEASES. 

Concerning these diseases but little will be said. They 
are, Measles, Mumps, Hooping-Cough, Angina maligna, 
Scarlatina anginosa, and Influenza. 

It is not pretended that these affections can, properly, be 
grouped together; and by most physicians, the following 
superficial reasons for this arrangement will be deemed 
wholly insufficient:—They are seldom or never sporadic, 
but when they occur, it is almost invariably in an epidemic 
form; and as they do not appear to have the same origin 
with our miasmatic endemics, which are either local or 
general, according to the extent of their causes, they cannot 
be ranked with that tribe. Thus they have some agreement 
in cause. In their symptoms, although it have not been 
generally remarked, there is also some loose analogy. They 
all affect the throat and lungs chiefly. But in the type of 
the fever, which accompanies them, the similitude fails, for 



57 


some are generally attended with synocha, and others as 
continually with typhus. How they are arranged, however, 
in this series of memoranda, is a matter of little moment. 

MEASLES. This disease has occasionally prevailed here, 
but not having seen many cases of it, I am unable to say 
whether its symptoms have exhibited any peculiarities. It 
does not appear to have proven fatal in any instance at this 
place. 

MUMPS has also prevailed in Cincinnati and the adjoining 
country several times. In the year 1807, it was more 
general than at any other period. A few cases of its retro¬ 
cession then occurred. In one instance of that kind, blood¬ 
letting, cathartics, and saturnine applications to the sympa¬ 
thetic tumour, which was large, were of very essential 
service. 

HOOPING Cough has affected the children of this part 
of the country more than either of the preceding diseases. 
For several years, indeed, it appears never to have been 
extinct in every section of this part of the state. In its 
symptoms nothing very peculiar has been observed, except 
that during the state of atmosphere which produces croup, 
the hooping-cough has sometimes assumed or counterfeited 
the phenomena of that disease. When medical aid has been 
applied for, emetics and cathartics, with the subsequent use 
of expectorants, tonics, and the cold bath, have generally 
been found sufficient. In one case, blood-letting appeared 
of decided advantage. A sweetened decoction of colts-foot 
or wild ginger ( tussillago ) is a popular remedy here, as in 
other parts of the United States. The precise value of this 
medicine appears to remain yet to be ascertained. 

Angina Maligna & Scarlatina Anginosa. The 

former of these diseases had an extensive and fatal prevalence 
in this country 18 or 20 years ago. It does not appear 
to have been epidemic since. The latter probably never has 
prevailed generally here. Within two years, however, 
there has been at this place a tendency to both these diseases. 
Within that period, a few bad cases, and a considerable num¬ 
ber of very mild ones, more especially of the former disease, 
have occurred. It would seem as though their cause or 
causes were or had been among us, but in a state too diluted 
or unformed, to excite an extensive or fatal epidemic. 

In the course of this constitution, cases of sore mouth have 
been common. Small blisters, ulcers and redness of the 
tongue, gums and inside of the lips and cheeks, with a bur- 


58 


ning sensation in those parts, were the usual symptoms. 
They were probabiy produced by such a gentle action of the 
cause of scarlatina, as was conjectured to produce the sub¬ 
maxillary abscesses mentioned by Dr. Rush. 

In the treatment of these affections, Dr. Allison, Dr. 
Sellman and myself pursued nearly the same course. Emet¬ 
ics, calomel, and the bark, with blisters, mercurial frictions, 
and emollients externally to the throat; and astringent, 
alkaline, saline and pungent gargarisms, were the remedies 
generally employed. They were attended with considera¬ 
ble, but not invariable success—a few cases of the angina 
maligna proving fatal. In the smarting and blistered mouth, 
Dr. Sellman found magnesia alba a serviceable remedy. He 
conceived that the contents of the stomach were in a state of 
morbid acidity, and that the affection of the mouth was there¬ 
by aggravated. In a few cases, the stimulating gargle re¬ 
commended by Dr. Farquhar, was employed, but not with 
the advantage experienced by him in the West Indies. 

For six months past, few or no cases of these diseases 
have presented themselves. 

INFLUENZA. The few remarks which follow, relate en¬ 
tirely to this disease, as it appeared in 1807. Cases of it oc¬ 
curred in town the two or three last days of September; 
but it was not general before the 5th or 6th of October. On 
the 29th and 30th of September, a great proportion of a re¬ 
giment of militia, which was encamped in the open air, about 
seven miles from town, became affected. The dust and 
smoke and night air to which they were exposed, probably 
acted as exciting causes. This disease affected adults chiefly, 
but not exclusively. In a great number of its subjects, it 
was so mild as not to require any medicine. Intermittents 
which were prevalent at the time of its appearance, imme¬ 
diately declined, and it was soon left almost the only disease. 
During its reign, a sudden diminution of atmospheric tem¬ 
perature effected the supervention of pnemonic inflamma¬ 
tion in several persons. These cases as well as many others, 
were attended with a very redundant secretion and excre¬ 
tion of bilious matter. The pulse was synocha, and they 
required copious blood-letting, with all the remedies gene¬ 
rally employed in bilious pleurisies. In one of these cases, 
an ague which had left the patient just before the attack of 
influenza, returned for three successive days: but unequi¬ 
vocal signs of pulmonary inflammation existing, copious 
blood-letting, blistering and the antiphlogistic regimen were 


59 


employed. To this treatment the combination yielded, 
and abortion was prevented, though the period of gestation 
had more than half elapsed. But these compound cases 
were not the only ones in which bloodletting was advanta¬ 
geously employed. Whenever the pulse was excessive, the 
loss of blood was found to afford great relief. Emetics, ca¬ 
thartics, and febrifuges were likewise employed with consi¬ 
derable advantage. After the excess of morbid action had 
subsided, and in those who experienced no excess, gentle 
anodynes and stimulants were found of great service. In 
some persons a troublesome cough continued for many 
weeks after the other symptoms of the disease had subsided, 
and did not appear to be much affected by any of the com¬ 
mon remedies for that complaint. It proved fatal to few or 
none. About the first of November, the disease began to oc¬ 
cur more seldom, and was entirely gone by the middle of that 
month. After its disappearance, the town was very healthy. 

The influence of this epidemic on the pulmonary diseases 
which have preceded it, has been already mentioned. 

The equinoctial storms of the ensuing spring were unusu¬ 
ally violent, and the temperature was low. Immediately 
after the equinox, a catarrhal affection, but little inferior to 
the influenza, in its violence and the numbers that were 
affected with it, appeared in this town and the adjoining 
country. 


MISCELLANEOUS REMARKS. 

The ITCH {Psora) or cutaneous affections nearly resem¬ 
bling it, are remarkably common in many parts of this coun¬ 
try. They are ascribed by some to the water, but the cause 
of their general prevalence does not yet appear to be ascer¬ 
tained. They are treated by the people, with the different 
mercurial preparations, and in most cases with success ; but 
sometimes they prove very obstinate. Occasionally these affec¬ 
tions are in all probability attended with a scorbutic diathesis. 

The Lepra Grecorum, now and then presents itself, gene¬ 
rating, in its usual manner, immense quantities of large 
branny scales. I have observed it not to affect, at least in 
any considerable degree, those parts of the body that are 
uncovered. Venesection, cathartics, and low diet, with the 
subsequent and long continued use of mercury or arsenic, 
will generally effect a cure. 

An affection, called by the people, catarrh, or guittar, 
now and then presents itself. It is a deep seated farunculus 



6o 


of the joint that connects some one of the fingers with its 
metacarpel bone. It appears oftenest to attack the ring finger. 
Stimulating poultices and a free vent for the pus, produce a 
cure very readily. 

A few cases of mortified gums, in children, have been 
observed. The first that presented itself was attended with 
a depraved state of the primae viae, and a moderate fever, 
inclining to the typhoid character. A great variety of astrin¬ 
gents and stimulants was applied to the sphacelated parts, 
without arresting the progress of the disease. At length I 
discovered that the silver spoon, with which the mouth was 
examined, was tarnished by the action of an acid, which must 
necessarily have been the septic. I directed a solution of 
carbonate of potash, which in a short time produced a cure. 
The same application has been since made, in similar cases, 
with corresponding success. Since the occurrence of that 
case, I have read Dr. Harrison’s paper on the diseases of 
Chillicothe, and find that cases of the same disease have oc¬ 
curred at that place, and were treated by him in the same 
way, with the best effect. 

The Goitre is an endemic of some of the N. E. portions 
of this state, but it is not known here. The Scrophula, 
Rickets, and Scurvy, are very rare diseases. Canine madness 
has not been epidemic for many years, and Hydrophobia has 
not been observed to occur as a symptom of any of our other 
diseases. Insanity seldom presents itself; but the protean 
disease, Hysteria, is frequently met with. Hydrocephalus 
internus but seldom occurs. Tetanus is rarer still. But one 
case has occurred here for many years. It was produced by 
a wound in the hand. It proved fatal in less than three days 
after the spasms came on ; probably from their extending to 
the muscles of the glottis. Cancers occasionally occur with 
their usual fatality. Calculus, Arthritis and Apoplexy, are 
rare diseases. Dropsies are more common, but generally 
appear only as one of the consequences of intermitting fever. 

No bill of mortality has yet been kept in this place. 


ERRATUM. — Where “ opthalmia ” occurs, read ophthalmia. 




APPENDIX 


I. “Columbo Root'.' 

In different parts of the western country, a bitter root, said 
to be the officinal columba, has excited considerable attention. 
In 1805, upon presenting that great botanist, professor 
Barton, with a specimen of it, he informed me that it was 
the root of the Frassera Carolinensis of Walter ; the Fras- 
sera Walteri of Michaux. I have not been so fortunate as 
to obtain the works of those botanists, but the authority of 
the professor is unquestionable. The plant therefore is not a 
nondescript, as has been said. It however does not appear 
to be recognized in Turton’s edition of the Systema Naturae. 

It is sometimes found pentandrous, at other times tetran- 
drous, always monogynous. The stamina are erect, the 
antherae are deeply cut longitudinally, on both sides, and 
fixed obliquely. The style is simple, erect, and longer than 
the corolla, the stigma is somewhat bilobed. The calyx 
consists, when the plant is tetrandrous of four, when it is 
pentandrous of five, ovato-lanceolate, permanent leaves. 
The corolla has 4 or 5 lanceolate petals; with a nectarife¬ 
rous? radiated spot of bristles in the centre of the superior 
surface of each.* The stem (caulis) is from 2 to 7 feet 
high, smooth and straight. The cauline leaves are vertici- 
late, glabrous, lanceolate, and from 4 to 8 in number. The 
radical ones of the same form. The branches are axillary, 
as numerous as the leaves of the whorl from whence they 
rise: they incline upwards, and send out opposite, axillary, 
one-flowered peduncles. The root of the young plant is 
fusiform and branching, of the old, tuberous and irregular. 
It is said to be triennial: it certainly is not annual. It is 
chiefly found in thin soils, among oak timber, or in prairies 
surrounded by that timber. I have never seen it in fertile 
woodlands. It flowers from the 25th of May to the 20th of 
June. 

Every part of the plant is bitter, but the root is generally 
chosen for medicinal purposes. Dr. J. Canby, and others, 
inform me, that they have found it, more especially in its 
recent state, to possess considerable laxative power. 

It gives out its bitterness both to aqueous and alcoholic 
menstrua, but more fully to the latter; the reverse of which 


* Whether this be a specific or generic character, I do not know. 




II 


is the case with the colomba. Its spiritous tincture also suf¬ 
fers decomposition, upon the addition of water, indicating 
that it contains resin, which the colomba does not. And 
the addition of decoction, or alcohol of galls, to its watery 
and spiritous infusion, caused no precipitate of cinchonin, the 
principal constituent of colomba. 

Hence it appears to be essentially distinct from the sub¬ 
stance to whose name it probably owes a portion of its repu¬ 
tation. It is, however, a medicine unquestionably entitled 
to attention,* and will no doubt be found equal, and possibly 
superior to most of our other indigenous bitters. 


II. New Disease. 

In the spring of 1809, Dr. Barbee, of Virginia, on re¬ 
turning from a visit to the Madriver country, in this state, 
gave me some information concerning a new and formidable 
disease which had appeared among the settlers of that tract. 
Since that time, I have been able to collect several additional 
facts respecting it, from different persons, more especially 
Mr. William Snodgrass, and Mr. John M'Kag, two intelli¬ 
gent and respectable inhabitants of that country, who have 
several times, experienced the disease in their persons and 
families. A summary of the whole, is here given, that phy¬ 
sicians may determine how far it deserves the appellation of 
a new disease. 

It almost invariably commences with general weak¬ 
ness and lassitude, which increase in the most gradual 
manner. About the same time, or soon after, a dull pain, 
or rather soreness, begins to affect the calves of the legs, 
occasionally extending up to the thighs. The appetite be¬ 
comes rather impaired, and in some cases nearly suspended; 
sensations of a disagreeable kind affecting the stomach : upon 
taking a little food, however, a greater disposition for it is 
generated, and more agreeable feelings are introduced 
throughout the whole system. Intestinal constipation in this, 
as in all the subsequent periods of the disease, exists in a very 
high degree. A strong propensity to sleep occurs, and ac¬ 
cording to Dr. Barbee, the pulse is “full, frequent, round, 
and somewhat tense, but regular.” During this stage, ex¬ 
ercise of any kind is highly detrimental, and if persisted in, 


* See Barton’s Collections and Journal. 





Ill 


soon induces loathing and nausea at the stomach. If the 
patient repose, upon first experiencing these symptoms, they 
generally cease, and he is allowed a longer exemption from 
the vomiting that awaits him. Sooner or later, however, 
that symptom almost invariably succeeds the predisposition we 
have described, and either proves fatal in l, 2, 3 or more 
days, or leaves the patient in a most exhausted state, from 
which he recovers only to sustain, at no distant period, a 
repetition of the same attack. 

The matter ejected is sometimes bilious, but much oftener 
sour, and so acrid, that its action on the throat, in one case, 
(which proved fatal) was likened to that of boiling water. 
Towards the close of mortal cases, it is occasionally very dark 
colored so that it has been compared to that very convenient 
and fashionable object of similitude—coffee-grounds. At 
this time the intestinal constipation is very great: Mr. Snod¬ 
grass knew one patient in whom it continued for 9 days, 
throughout which he took no food whatever, and vomited 
during six of them. After such an attack, the propensity for 
sleep is destroyed, and an uncommon degree of watchfulness 
is produced. The patient remains languid, and his face 
and person generally become rather tumid. His skin is 
cool, palish, and frequently affected with clamminess. He 
has a disagreeable burning sensation in his stomach, and hot 
eructations are very troublesome. The thirst is considerable. 
The breath is peculiarly disgusting, even loathsome. The 
appetite is generally poor; and the inclination to costiveness 
remains. These symptoms often continue for several months, 
during which the patient experiences frequent returns of 
the vomiting. But at length, more especially upon the ap¬ 
proach of winter, they gradually wear away, leaving the 
patient considerably worse than they found him, and liable 
to a fresh attack the ensuing summer. 

Nothing like regular periodical exascerbations is observa¬ 
ble in this disease; no chilliness occurs; the color of the skin 
and eyes does not deviate widely from that of health, and 
gives no striking indication of bile; there is no pain in the 
region of the liver, nor in the shoulder; it does not termi¬ 
nate in dropsy; nor are there any symptoms which bespeak 
it a disguised or anomalous intermittent. It however pre¬ 
vails (though not exclusively) in aguish situations, and inter¬ 
mitting diseases are thought to have declined since its 
appearance. 

It affects all ages, conditions, and both sexes, indiscrimi¬ 
nately ; except probably very young children. They how- 


IV 


ever are not wholly exempt from it. Emigrants are not 
peculiarly liable to it. It was first observed in the summer 
of 1806, and is thought annually to extend its geographical 
range, and to become more intense. It sometimes commen¬ 
ces in July or before, but oftener in August, and continues 
till the approach of winter, when it generally, but not always 
subsides. 

The cure of this disease seems hitherto to have been left 
chiefly to the people, who have not yet discovered any certain 
method. Purging was a remedy that naturally suggested 
itself; and by some it has been thought very serviceable, 
more especially when effected by aloes; but others as¬ 
sert that they have frequently known a cathartic to increase 
the vomiting, and therefore rely more on enemata. All agree 
however, that the intestinal obstructions are to be overcome ; 
and that the less the means made use of, affect the stomach, 
the better. Vomits evidently do harm. Blisters to the 
gastric region are considered the most efficient remedy. 
Tonics have been used, but no great benefit appeared to 
arise from them. Wine and salted meats, however, have 
appeared to do good, and are relished beyond any thing else. 
Indeed, eating a little frequently, whether an inclination 
exist or not, has been found a good palliative: It relieves 
the stomach from the knawing which so perpetually exists. 
Alkaline lye has been used in one case: it gave some tempo¬ 
rary relief, but not more than almost any other substance 
which might be received into the stomach. Bleeding has 
occasionally been resorted to, but with doubtful advantage. 
Ardent spirit appears to render the disease worse: It is not 
however, much sought after, all inclination for it, generally 
being destroyed. Tea and coffee, also, with several other 
articles of diet, which were agreeable before the disease, are 
in many cases disliked for a long time after. 

This disease is unequivocally observed to affect four domes¬ 
tic animals: the horse, the cow, the sheep, and the dog. 
It is often fatal to the two former; but not so fatal to the 
latter. It as frequently attacks horses in the winter as sum¬ 
mer, and sometimes kills them in 24 hours. 

It prevails chiefly in the neighborhood of Staunton on the 
Great Miami, and in the country south of Madriver, between 
Dayton and Springfield. In those tracts, ponds and marshes 
occasionally occur, more especially in the former. The 
soil and water are calcareous. The timber generally oak. 



f 













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